How can we enhance the design of a micro-axial pump?

PVAD Design

This study, by our researcher Shivam Gupta, focuses on developing a cardiac support device, mainly targeting, but not limited to, the support of the left ventricle, whose insertion can be made percutaneously. The device, called Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device (PVAD) is an axial pump. Among various types of blood pumps, axial pumps are known for their high flow rate despite their small size, and hence, they were considered for this study.

The aim of the study was to:

(i) Design a micro-axial blood pump

(ii) Optimize the design using numerical methodology

(iii) Validate the design experimentally using in-vitro testing

(iv) Visualize flow using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

The developed pump can be:

1.  Used to support both left and right ventricles in adults as well as in paediatric cases
2.  Used as an extracorporeal pump in pediatrics along with an oxygenator
3.  Used in portable kidney assist devices
4.  Used in a medical ventilator to pump blood in and out of the body.

Experimental Setup for Particle Image velocimetry

Mock Loop to Mimic the Body’s Circulatory System

Computational Fluid Dynamics in Micro-Axial Pump Design

Computational Fluid Dynamics in Micro-Axial Pump Design