2017 Volume 25 Issue 2 Pages 198-204
A 5-degrees of freedom (5-DOF) controlled maglev motor and a centrifugal blood pump have been developed for pediatric ventricular assist devices (VADs). The magnetically suspended pediatric VAD consists of a top stator, a bottom stator and a levitated impeller. A double stator mechanism enhances a torque production. The maglev pediatric VAD has an outer diameter of 22 mm, a total length of 34 mm and a total volume of 18 cc. In this study the pump performance of the developed centrifugal pump was investigated, as well as the magnetic suspension ability of the developed 5-DOF controlled self-bearing motor was evaluated. The developed maglev pediatric VAD produced a flow rate up to 2.5 L/min against a pump head pressure of 100 mmHg at an impeller rotating speed of 5000 rpm. The maximum oscillation amplitudes that were 0.08 mm in axial direction and 0.19 mm in radial direction were less than the clearance of the centrifugal blood pump.
