PRINCIPLES OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICE DESIGN

The design of cardiovascular devices is a complex process that is part ially, but never completely, illuminated by scientific information and precise specification of the performance wanted of the device. No des ign satisfies by only accomplishing its intended goal; it must also av oid unintended, unwanted effects, termed in this chapter failure modes . Discussion of these modes is the principal goal of this chapter, whi ch, however, concludes with a discussion of a feasible process of desi gn that can be carried out in the presence of substantial ignorance. N atural components of the cardiovascular system as models for the explo itation of current technology are suggested to be, at least at present , less useful than are precedent artificial systems.