Disposable MagLev centrifugal blood pump utilizing a cone-shaped impeller

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Conventional blood pumps often suffer from durability issues and cause blood trauma due to mechanical bearings.
• The BioPump BPX-80 utilizes a cone-shaped impeller supported by a mechanical bearing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a magnetically levitated blood pump (MagLev BP) to enhance durability and minimize blood trauma.
• To assess the performance and hemocompatibility of the MagLev BP prototype.

Main Methods:

• Designed a MagLev mechanism with a two-degrees-of-freedom radial-controlled magnetic bearing and magnetic coupling, eliminating impeller-housing contact.
• Measured impeller levitational accuracy, head-quantity (HQ) characteristics, and in vitro hemolysis.
• Utilized computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to estimate blood damage index.

Main Results:

• The MagLev BP prototype achieved stable impeller rotation from 0 to 2750 rpm, delivering 5 L/min at pressures >250 mm Hg.
• Normalized index of hemolysis was 10% lower than the BPX-80 due to contactless impeller levitation.
• CFD analysis indicated outlet shape and fluid clearance width significantly impact blood damage, with potential for further reduction.

Conclusions:

• The prototype MagLev BP meets essential HQ characteristics for extracorporeal circulation with stable levitation and acceptable hemolysis.
• The MagLev technology significantly reduces blood trauma compared to traditional mechanical bearing pumps.
• Further design optimization based on CFD analysis can potentially minimize blood damage even further.