Electromechanical artificial heart with a new gear type and angled pump chambers

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Devices
• Artificial Organs

Background:

• Designing a fully implantable electromechanical artificial heart requires careful consideration of the limited intrathoracic space post-natural heart explantation.
• Existing artificial heart designs may not optimally utilize the available anatomical space, impacting fluid mechanics and connector placement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design an anatomically adapted housing for a total artificial heart that maximizes the use of intrathoracic space.
• To improve the fluid-mechanical and anatomical arrangement of inlet and outlet connectors.
• To develop a mechanical gear system compatible with the new housing design.

Main Methods:

• Computer-assisted anatomical studies were performed to define the available intrathoracic space.
• A novel total artificial heart housing was designed with oblique orientation of pumping chambers.
• Pumping chamber geometry was adapted from an existing cardiac assist system.
• A mechanical gear system was developed to conform to the anatomically adapted housing.

Main Results:

• A total artificial heart housing design was successfully developed, accommodating oblique pumping chamber orientation.
• The design facilitates improved anatomical and fluid-mechanical arrangement of inlet and outlet connectors.
• A compatible mechanical gear system was engineered for the novel housing.

Conclusions:

• The developed total artificial heart housing design optimizes space utilization within the intrathoracic cavity.
• This approach enhances the anatomical integration and fluid dynamics of a fully implantable electromechanical artificial heart.
• Further development and testing are warranted for clinical application.