APPROACH TO DECREASE HEMOLYSIS CAUSED BY AXIAL FLOW BLOOD PUMP

Abstract

To decrease hemolysis caused by an axial flow blood pump, we studied whether specific speed at the design point should be kept with in the existing engineering standard range or whether pump speed should be reduced to a minimum. Four pumps were designed at a flow of 5L/min, ahead of 100mmHg and speeds of 14000-26000rpm. Specific speed of each pump was calculated as 758-1407 (m, m3/min, rpm). Hemolytic tests were performed with flesh goat blood in a mock circuit. The lowest level of hemolysis is observed in the pump with the minimum specific speed (758)that is out of the existing engineering standard range. We also studied the influence of change in design of guide vanes on hemolysis. Four guide vanes that had different length and number of vanes were devised for same impellers. In the result of hemolysis test, difference in hemolytic index was not clearly observed among the pumps that had different guide vanes.