Related Experiment Videos
High-resolution fluorescent particle-tracking flow visualization within an intraventricular axial flow left
J P Kerrigan1, K Yamazaki, R K Meyer
1University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
Artificial Organs
|June 1, 1996
Summary
This study used fluorescent image-tracking velocimetry to analyze blood flow in a left ventricular assist pump. The technique revealed detailed flow patterns, aiding in pump design and identifying potential areas of blood trauma.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
- Medical Device Development
Background:
- Flow visualization is crucial in blood pump development for design validation and identifying potential blood deposition or trauma.
- Rotary blood pumps present visualization challenges due to limited access and high impeller speeds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate flow patterns in an intraventricular axial flow, left ventricular assist pump (prototype No. 7).
- To assess fluid dynamics within the pump's hydrodynamic design limits using advanced flow visualization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fluorescent image-tracking velocimetry for accurate, quantitative, and qualitative flow visualization.
- Focused on flow fields at the impeller-stator interface and pump outlet under steady conditions.
Main Results:
- Detailed flow patterns were visualized within the left ventricular assist pump.
- The impeller-stator interface and pump outlet flow fields were characterized.
Conclusions:
- Fluorescent image-tracking velocimetry is effective for analyzing complex flow in rotary blood pumps.
- The study provided insights into the fluid dynamics of the tested left ventricular assist pump prototype.