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PREFABRICATION DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A LONG-TERM ELECTRICALLY-ACTUATED ABDOMINAL LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE
James T. Sturm1, Stephen R. Igo, Victor L. Poirier
1Cardiovascular Surgical Research Laboratories of the Texas Heart Institute of St. Luke's Episcopal and Texas Children's Hospitals and the Thermo Electron Research and Development Center, Waltham, Massachusetts.
Cardiovascular Diseases
|December 1, 1978
Summary
This study designed a long-term, low-profile intracorporeal left ventricular assist device (ALVAD) to help patients with severe heart failure. The device aims to restore normal circulatory dynamics for approximately 73% of the target population.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Science
- Medical Device Design
Background:
- Severe left ventricular failure requires advanced therapeutic options.
- Existing treatments may be insufficient for end-stage heart failure patients.
- Intracorporeal left ventricular assist devices (ALVADs) offer a potential long-term solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conceptually design and develop a long-term, low-profile intracorporeal left ventricular assist device (ALVAD).
- To assess the feasibility of the ALVAD based on patient physiology and anatomy.
- To determine the potential patient population that could benefit from the device.
Main Methods:
- Measured body surface area (BSA) in 50 patients to establish population parameters.
- Plotted stroke volume distributions for normal and failing left ventricles.
- Conducted cadaver fitting studies to assess anatomical compatibility.
- Performed in-vitro tests to evaluate pump performance.
Main Results:
- A pump stroke volume of ≥ 83 ml can restore normal circulatory dynamics for 63% of the projected population.
- An ALVAD with a 10.8 cm diameter can anatomically fit 73% of the potential patient population.
- The proposed pump achieved ≥ 83 ml stroke volume in vitro at 125 beats/min with 15 mmHg filling pressure.
Conclusions:
- The conceptual design of the ALVAD addresses critical technical, anatomical, and physiological considerations.
- Approximately 73% of the projected patient population could be accommodated by the ALVAD.
- The device has the potential to restore normal circulatory dynamics for a significant portion of patients with severe left ventricular failure.