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Published on: August 25, 2023
Early-Stage Feasibility Testing of a Nutating Disc for Innovative Cardiovascular Applications
Gretel Monreal1, Steven C Koenig1,2, Joshua G Crane1
1Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Background:
Magvad LLC is developing an innovative total artificial heart (TAH) based on a single nutating (nonrotating, "wobbling") disc pump design to provide up to 8 L/min pulsatile flow at 100 mmHg pressure in children and adults with end-stage heart failure (HF). We present an early-stage in vitro study to demonstrate proof-of-concept of a nutating disc mechanism for future cardiovascular applications.
Methods:
A commercially available single nutating disc water meter (Recordall, Badger Meter 25-3/4″) was modified and connected to a motor via a shaft coupler and controlled via software to regulate disc "wobbles" per minute. The nutating disc pump was integrated into static and HF-tuned dynamic mock loops and operated at shaft rotational speeds of 25-225 rpm.
Results:
Pressure-flow (H-Q) curves demonstrated the pump generated 7 L/min flow at 100 mmHg (225 rpm). Pump flow, motor work, hemodynamic work, and pump efficiency increased with increasing wobble speed. The pump restored hemodynamics in the dynamic HF mock loop by increasing mean arterial flow and pressure, augmenting pulsatility, and decreasing venous pressure with increasing wobble speed.
Conclusions:
These results demonstrate proof-of-concept and very early-stage feasibility of a single nutating disc to function as a novel low-speed volume displacement pulsatile flow mechanism for future cardiovascular applications including the development of an innovative TAH.
