Estimation of the turbulent viscous shear stress in a centrifugal rotary blood pump by the large eddy particle image velocimetry method

The non-physiologic turbulent flows in centrifugal rotary blood pumps (RBPs) may result in complications such as the hemolysis and the platelet activation. Recent researches suggest that the turbulent viscous dissipation in the smallest eddies is the main factor of the blood trauma caused by the turbulent flow. The turbulent viscous shear stress (TVSS) was taken as the realistic physical force acting on the cells. However, limited by the temporal and spatial resolutions of the instrumentation currently available, very limited studies are available for the TVSS in the RBPs. In this paper, the large eddy particle image velocimetry (PIV) method is used to estimate the turbulent dissipation rate in the sub-grid scale, to investigate the effect of the TVSS on the blood trauma. Detailed flow characteristics, such as the relative velocity vectors, the estimated TVSS levels and the Kolmogorov length scales, are analyzed in three impeller phases at three constant flow rates (3 L/min, 5 L/min and 7 L/min). Over the measures range in this study, the maximum TVSS in the investigated RBP is lower than the reported critical value of stress. This study demonstrates that the large eddy PIV method is effective to evaluate the flow-dependent force on the cells. On the other hand, it is found that the TVSS is highly dependent on the flow behavior. Under severe off-design conditions, the complex flow characteristics, such as the flow separation and the vortical structures, will increase the TVSS. Thus, in order to reduce the hemolysis in the RBPs, the flow disturbance, induced by the departure of the incidence angle, should be avoided during the design of the RBPs.

Initial hydrodynamic study on a new intraaortic axial flow pump: Dynamic aortic valve

Rotary blood pumps have been researched as implantableventricular assist devices for years. To further reduce the complex of implanted axial pumps, the authors proposed a new concept of intraaortic axial pump, termed previously as "dynamic aortic valve (DAV)". Instead of being driven by an intraaortic micro-electric motor, it was powered by a magnetic field from outside of body. To ensure the perfusion of coronary artery, the axial flow pump is to be implanted in the position of aortic valve. It could serve as either a blood pump or a mechanical valve depending on the power input. This research tested the feasibility of the new concept in model study. A column, made from permanent magnet, is jointed to an impeller in a concentric way to form a "rotor-impeller". Supported by a hanging shaft cantilevered in the center of a rigid cage, the rotor-impeller can be turned by the magnetic field in the surrounding space. In the present prototype, the rotor is 8 mm in diameter and 15 mm in length, the impeller has 3 vanes with an outer diameter of 18 mm. The supporting cage is 22 mm in outer diameter and 20 mm in length. When tested, the DAV prototype is inserted into the tube of a mock circuit. The alternative magnetic field is produced by a rotating magnet placed side by side with the rotor-impeller at a distance of 30 mm. Once the alternative magnetic field is presented in the surrounding space, the DAV starts to turn, leading to a pressure difference and liquid flow in the tube. The flow rate or pressure difference is proportioned to rotary speed. At the maximal output of hydraulic power, the flow rate reached 5 L/min against an afterload of 100 mmHg. The maximal pressure difference generated by DAV at a rotation rate of 12600 r/min was 147 mmHg. The preliminary results demonstrated the feasibility of "DAV", further research on this concept is justifiable.