DEVELOPMENT OF DISPOSABLE TYPE VFP (VIBRATING FLOW PUMP) FOR ECMO

Abstract

Vibrating flow pump (VFP) was designed as a disposable type blood pump. Basic study of VFP was performed in the mock circulation concerning the effect of the changes of a diameter and length of vibrating tube on pump performance. The pump efficiency was also studied from the point of driving frequency of vibrating tube. To develop VFP as a blood pump for extracorporeal circulation with membrane oxygenator (ECMO), oxygen transport rate during ECMO was evaluated by acute animal experiments using adult goats. From the results of the mock circulation study, pump efficiency showed significant good value in the 15mm diameter of vibrating tube, but no significant change was shown in the length of vibrating tube. Oxygen transport rate of ECMO using VFP was also improved compared with that of the centrifugal pump and air-driven sac type artificial heart. These results indicates that VFP has the advantages in the oxygen transport rate which is important role to develop the ECMO system.