World-smallest LVAD with 27 g weight, 21 mm OD and 5 l min⁻¹ flow with 50 mmHg pressure increase

Abstract

To investigate the feasibility of a long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placed in the aortic valve annulus, an implantable aortic valve pump (21 mm outer diameter, weighing 27 g) was developed. The device consists of a central rotor and a stator. The rotor assembly incorporates driven magnets and an impeller. The stator assembly has a motor coil with an iron core and outflow guide vanes. The device is to be implanted identically to an aortic valve replacement, occupying no additional anatomic space. The pump delivers the blood directly from left ventricle to the aortic root, like a natural ventricle, therefore causing less physiologic disturbance to the natural circulation. Neither connecting conduits nor ‘bypass’ circuits are necessary. The pump is designed to cycle between a peak flow and zero net flow to approximate systole and diastole. Bench testing indicates that the pump can produce a blood flow of 5 l min⁻¹ with 50 mmHg pressure increase at 17 500 rpm. At zero net flow rate, the pump can maintain a diastole aortic pressure against 80 mmHg at the same rotating speed.