An electrohydraulic total artificial heart with a separately placed actuator

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Devices
• Implantable Systems

Background:

• Total artificial hearts are crucial for end-stage heart failure.
• Existing systems face challenges with size, power, and long-term implantation.
• A need exists for a more anatomically fitting and fully implantable artificial heart.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate an electrohydraulic total artificial heart (EHTAH) system.
• To assess the anatomical fit and in vivo performance of the EHTAH system.
• To determine the potential of the EHTAH as a totally implantable solution.

Main Methods:

• Designed an EHTAH with a separate actuator and anatomically shaped blood pumps.
• Utilized a brushless DC motor, metal bellows, and a roller-screw system for pumping action.
• Transmitted power via silicone oil and connected components with polyvinylchloride tubes.
• Evaluated in vivo performance by implanting the system pneumatically in a calf and goats.

Main Results:

• The EHTAH system demonstrated good anatomical fit in large animal models.
• The calf survived for 111 days, and one goat survived for 8 days post-implantation.
• In vitro testing showed a potential output of 6 L/min with pusher-plate pumps.
• The system's design facilitates a totally implantable approach.

Conclusions:

• The electrohydraulic total artificial heart (EHTAH) system shows feasibility for long-term implantation.
• The anatomically tailored pump design contributes to successful integration.
• Further development could position the EHTAH as a leading totally implantable artificial heart option.