Development of vibrating flow pump for left ventricular assist circulation.

Vibrating flow pump (VFP) can generate high frequency oscillated blood flow within 10-40 Hz. In this study, new type VFP was developed as a ventricular assist device. Left Ventricular assist circulation using VFP were performed as aseptic animal experiments using goats. hemodynamic parameters were recorded continuously at awake state. Driving frequency of VFP was 25 Hz and pump flow rate was controlled to approximately 2 l/min. Frequency of VFP was 25 hz and pump flow rate was controlled to approximately 2 L/min. Frequency analysis method was used for analyzing hemodynamics. The peak of power was observed at 25 Hz from the Fourier transformation of blood flow waveform. Systemic vascular resistance was decreased by the start of left ventricular assistance using oscillated blood flow. No fatal arrhythmia was observed during this study. As the conclusion, new type VFP has a sufficient performance for left ventricular assistance. Small size blood pump may be enabled by the oscillated blood flow because VFP is driven at high frequency moving with short stroke volume.