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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
A Cost-effective and Reliable Method to Predict Mechanical Stress in Single-use and Standard Pumps
Published on: August 5, 2015
Sealing performance of a magnetic fluid seal for rotary blood pumps
Yoshinori Mitamura1, Sayaka Takahashi, Kentaro Kano
1Department of Human Sciences and Informatics, School of Biological Science and Engineering, Tokai University, Sapporo, Japan. ymita@tspirit.tokai-u.jp
Abstract:
A magnetic fluid (MF) for a rotary blood pump seal enables mechanical contact-free rotation of the shaft and, hence, has excellent durability. The performance of a MF seal, however, has been reported to decrease in liquids. We have developed a MF seal that has a "shield" mechanism and a new MF with a higher magnetization of 47.9 kA/m. The sealing performance of the MF seal installed in a rotary blood pump was studied. Under the condition of continuous flow, the MF seal remained in perfect condition against a pressure of 298 mm Hg (pump flow rate: 3.96 L/min). The seal was also perfect against a pressure of 170 mm Hg in a continuous flow of 3.9 L/min for 275 days. We have developed a MF seal that works in liquid against clinically used pressures. The MF seal is promising as a shaft seal for rotary blood pumps.
