Minimal power consumption of the Penn State rollerscrew EVAD through optimal and suboptimal control

An output feedback controller for the Penn State rollerscrew electric ventricular assist device (EVAD) is discussed. The controller minimizes the electrical energy consumption while using the only observable state variable as its signal. The initial conditions on which the optimal control of the EVAD depends are based on cardiovascular data of the general population. Comparison of the Rollerscrew EVAD with the Cam EVAD reveals a striking difference in efficiency between the two devices. A patient with an optimally controlled Rollerscrew EVAD could function for 14.5 h without a recharge while the same patient with an optimally controlled Cam EVAD could function only for 8 h.<>