2022 Volume 34 Issue 2 Pages 48-53
Currently, percutaneous energy transmission systems are clinically used for blood pumps, but they have problems such as percutaneous infection as well as transmission power efficiency. In this study, we developed a novel pulsation mechanism for a displacement transmission system using a rotating magnetic coupling component to generate pulsating flow in an implantable blood pump. The pump consists of two magnet plates, a) a semicircular magnetized neodymium magnet plate with a diameter of 80 mm and b) a similarly magnetized neodymium magnet plate with a diameter of 80 mm, coupled to a pump with a passive diaphragm made of polyurethane. A rotating magnetic field was applied to attract or repel the diaphragm supported in the housing of the pump. Hemodynamic performance tests were performed using a mechanical circulatory system; the change in energy consumption under beating conditions of 60?100 bpm was investigated. The results showed that the magnet-coupled pump mechanism was able to generate a pulsatile flow rate of 4.6 L/min at 60 bpm against an afterload of 100 mmHg, indicating effective pumping power even under low pumping speed conditions. The indirect pulsation pump with percutaneous magnet coupling can support systemic blood circulation.
