Reduction of hemolysis for a centrifugal blood pump with hydrodynamic bearing

Abstract

A centrifugal blood pump, whose impeller is suspended without contact by hydrodynamic bearing, being developed by AIST. Measurement of impeller levitation was conducted with a laser-focus displacement meter. Expansion of axial gap of the thrust bearing, from 6 to 34 micro meters, lead to sufficient reduction of hemolysis, which indicates close relation between the axial gap to hemolysis.