Abstract
In order to develop a monopivot centrifugal blood pump, stagnation area around the pivot must be removed to prevent thrombus formation. We made equivalent visualization model which agrees with the geometry of bottom part of centrifugal impellers with washout holes. Using 4-times particle tracking velocimetry, the flow around the pivot was analyzed. And we found close correlation between relative stagnation contour and thrombus contour obtained by animal experiments. We have found a possibility to make quantitative estimation for thrombus formation through the flow visualization analysis.
