The newly designed univalved artificial heart.

Abstract

A univalved artificial heart (AH) powered electromagnetically in the frequency range of 1-30 Hz was developed to obtain a totally implantable AH. This small sized AH consisted of a vibrating tube, coils, magnets, and a jellyfish valve as an outlet AH valve. The fluid mechanical, hemodynamic, and hematologic properties were evaluated in a mock circulation and 10 animal experiments using adult goats. This vibrating electromagnetic AH could generate more than 10 L/min as an output volume, with 10 Hz vibration using 20 volts supplied voltage. It could also provide two kinds of flow and pressure patterns, in constant-peak and periodic-peak patterns. The values of free hemoglobin remained within acceptable limits. The authors concluded that this new type of pump was useful as a totally implantable AH, ventricular assist, or organ assist system.