Pulsatile augmentation device for extracorporeal circulation

A device has been designed, constructed, and tested to provide pulsatile pressure/flow to a standard extracorporeal bypass circuit. The pulsatile augmentation device is pneumatically driven similar to an artificial heart ventricle except that there are no valves. It is constructed of polyurethane by vacuum forming and high frequency welding. Drivers used are a modified Arrow-Kontron intraaortic balloon pump or the Utah artificial heart driver. In vitro testing with fresh bovine blood demonstrated acceptable blood compatibility and hemodynamic function. In vivo testing for 4 h in a right and left heart extracorporeal bypass circuit showed good pulse augmentation in pulmonary and systemic bypass circuits. The device shows promise for adding pulse to standard cardiopulmonary bypass and to extracorporeal right heart circulatory assist circuits.