Quantitative approach to control spinning stability of the impeller in the pivot bearing-supported centrifugal pump

The Gyro C1E3 pump has been developed as a completely sealless centrifugal pump driven by a magnetic coupling system for long-term usage. The Gyro C1E3 pump is a pivot bearing-supported pump in which the impeller is supported with the top and bottom pivot bearings. In the Gyro C1E3 pump, the impeller spinning is affected by the force balance between the floating force (Ff[N]) of the hydrodynamic effect and the magnetic thrust force (Tf[N]). The authors quantitatively investigated the floating force of the impeller in vitro to determine the magnetic coupling distance (MCD[mm]) that would result in stable impeller spinning. In vitro tests were performed using a loop filled with 37% glycerin solution to obtain the relationship between the MCD and floating speed (Rf, rotational speed when the impeller starts floating [rpm]) and the relationship between the MCD and Tf. From the obtained relationships, we calculated Ff and determined the relationship between the Ff and the rotational speed (R). Furthermore, we determined the relationship between d (minimum required MCD [mm]) and R from the results of determining the relationship of the MCD and Tf and of the Ff and R. The following relationships were obtained: Rf = 6.24 x 10(4) x MCD-1.35; Tf = 5.27 x 10(3) x MCD-2.29; Ff = 4.71 x 10(-6) x RPM1.69; and d = 9.02 x RPM-0.85 where RPM is the rotational speed. It was demonstrated that the floating force of the impeller is a function only of the rotational speed in the pivot bearing-supported Gyro C1E3 pump. The floating force is estimated to be 10 N to 40 N at rotational speeds of 1,500 rpm to 3,000 rpm at which the Gyro pump may be used in most clinical situations. It would be possible to control the impeller position of the Gyro pump automatically at the stable spinning condition by controlling the adequate magnetic coupling distance based upon its relationship with the rotational speed which was obtained in this study.