Establishment of flow estimation for an implantable centrifugal blood pump

A less invasive and non thrombogenic flow estimation of an implantable centrifugal blood pump (ICBP) has been developed, which was derived from electric power consumption, the rotating speed of a motor, and blood viscosity presumed by hematocrit and body temperature. The power consumption and the rotating speed of the motor were measured by a wattmeter every 0.2 sec. Accuracy and stability of the estimated flow (EF) were investigated during in vitro and in vivo experiments. The EF was compared with a measured flow rate (MF) monitored by an electromagnetic flowmeter. During in vitro experiments, the EF and MF were measured at 79 operating points. The ICBP was driven in a closed mock loop filled with goat blood with hematocrit values of 21.5, 28, 34, and 42%. During in vivo experiments, the ICBP was implanted in the chest cavity of a goat and driven for 40 days with continuous estimation of the bypass flow rate. Blood was taken to determine hematocrit value several times a week. The temperature of the pleura away from the ICBP was measured every 15 min. A linear correlation between the EF and MF was observed, and the correlation coefficient between the EF and MF was 0.99 during in vitro examinations. An averaged error of the EF was 0.5 L/min, with the MF ranging from 2.3 to 8.1 L/min during in vivo experiments. In conclusion, flow estimation was established with good stability and accuracy in both in vitro and in vivo experiments.