Hemocompatibility evaluation with experimental and computational fluid dynamic analyses for a monopivot circulatory...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Circulatory assist devices are crucial for patients with heart failure.
• Ensuring hemocompatibility is vital to minimize complications like hemolysis and thrombus formation.
• Novel pump designs require rigorous evaluation before clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the hemocompatibility of a novel monopivot circulatory assist pump.
• To compare computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis with experimental measurements.
• To identify areas for design improvement to prevent adverse hemocompatibility outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was employed to model blood flow.
• Particle tracking velocimetry was used for experimental validation of CFD results.
• Hemolysis and in vitro antithrombogenic tests were conducted to evaluate biocompatibility.

Main Results:

• CFD analysis and particle tracking velocimetry showed good agreement.
• Low wall shear stress (<300 Pa) on the volute casing wall was observed.
• The pump demonstrated a lower hemolysis level compared to a commercial pump.
• Stagnation at the pivot area was reduced by secondary flow and vortices.
• Thrombus formation was observed but could be mitigated by redesigning secondary vanes.

Conclusions:

• The developed monopivot circulatory assist pump exhibits promising hemocompatibility.
• CFD and particle tracking velocimetry are reliable methods for evaluating pump performance.
• Further design optimization of secondary vanes is recommended to completely eliminate thrombus formation.