Basic Performance of a Miniature Intraventricular Axial Pump

A miniature intraventricular axial pump for left ventricular (LV) support is under development. This pump was designed for placement in the LV cavity by insertion through the LV apex with the outlet located at the ascending aorta via the aortic valve. The basic hydro-dynamic characteristics represented as a relationship between pump head (H) and flow (Q) showed a negative linear relationship under a constant head. This characteristic was generally the same as that obtained by other axial rotation pumps. However, the actual H-Q relationship was represented as anticlockwise "loops" caused by the contraction of the natural LV. The comparative in vitro data on these H-Q loops showed that the shape of the loops was changed drastically by the connecting condition between the pump and natural cardiovascular system.