抄録
We have been developing a total artificial heart (TAH) named the helical flow TAH (HFTAH) using helical flow pumps (HFPs). The HFTAH was designed to have a small size with enough performance, good durability and good anatomical fitting. The left and right HFPs were designed separately so that they could be applied also for bi-ventricular or single ventricular assist device. The elemental technologies are hydrodynamic levitation impeller, MPC polymer anti-thrombogenic coating and absolute pressure sensor. The HFTAH was implanted in goats and 100 days survival was obtained. With animal experiments, the problem that hydrodynamic bearing touched to the shaft and was worn by the sucking effect was occurred. As for the absolute pressure sensor, estimation of atrial pressure from its pulsatile amplitude has been investigated. We are expecting that the HFTAH would be an excellent total artificial heart as a next generation device.
