Abstract
Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices play a significant role in treatment of heart failure patients. Recently, successful use of rotary MCS devices is leading research interest in this technology for pediatric patients. The pediatric MCS devices require achieving compact size, high mechanical durability and better blood biocompatibility. Magnetic levitation system such as magnetic bearings and self-bearing motor is one of candidates to develop next generation MCS devices which can completely suspend a spinning rotor impeller without mechanical contact. In this study, a ultra-compact magnetically levitated motor with 5-degrees of freedom (-DOF) control is undergoing development. The 5-DOF controlled maglev motor is 22 mm in diameter and 33 mm in height. This paper investigated enhancement of magnetic suspension and rotation characteristics in order to develop a higher performance maglev motor for implantable pediatric MCS device. A magnetic circuit of the 5-DOF controlled maglev motor was optimally modified by using theoretical calculation and finite element method 3-D FEM analysis. The improved motor with modified magnetic circuit indicated higher magnetic suspension force and torque characteristics in numerical simulation compare with a the previously developed prototype maglev motor.
