Abstract
Hemolysis is one of important factors in developing rotary blood pumps. It is, however, difficult to identify the areas where hemolysis occurs. Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)analysis enables the engineer to predict hemolysis on a computer. In this study fluid dynamics were analyzed in a wholer region of the intra-cardiac axial flow pump. Reynolds shear stresses were computed along particle trace lines. Hemolysis was evaluated based on the shear stress(τ)and its exposure time(Δt): dHb/Hb=3.62×10-7τi2.416×Δti0.785. Particle damage was accumulated with time along the particle trace lines. The computed hemolysis values were compared with experimental results. The hemolysis characteristic results were in good agreement with the CFD values. CFD is a very powerful tool to develop rotary blood pumps.
