Abstract
We introduce examples of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of blood flow in continuous flow blood pumps as shown below. In all analyses, blood was assumed to be an incompressible Newtonian fluid, and Reynolds-average Navier-Stokes equations were calculated. Turbulence model which is suitable for wide range of Reynolds number was chosen.
VALVO Pump
An estimation method of hemolysis within blood pumps by CFD analysis was proposed.By applying this method, the design modification of the pump was carried out in order to improve the hemolytic performance.
VALVO Pump 2
Numerical analysis of the blood flow in the axial flow pump was conducted and the pump hydraulic performance and the hydrodynamic forces acting on the impeller were calculated to determine the parameters for the passive magnetic bearing.
Catheter-type VAD
Blood flow in the left ventricle under support with a catheter-type continuous flow blood pump was investigated numerically and experimentally. Assessment based on average wall shear stress on the left ventricular wall indicated that some of the combinations of the catheter tip shape and insertion depth improved the washout effect.
