Abstract
Though several kinds of implantable ventricular assist devices (VAD) are available at present, their application is limited to transplantation candidates and other patients, who need partial circulatory assist, cannot use VADs in Japan. We are developing a small portable axial-flow pump whose blood contacting parts are made of polymer. Though axial flow pump models, KAP2, KAP3, and KAP4 were developed with different pivot size, their hemolytic properties have not changed so much as 5 times of a conventional centrifugal pump. Though KAP5 changed its fluid dynamic design and found an almost the same level hemolysis at 10000 rpm, it attained very low level of hemolysis at 5000 rpm. We will investigate the suitable ranges of use for next models partial circulatory assist.
