A NOVEL IMPLANTABLE ELECTROMECHANICAL VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE - FIRST ACUTE ANIMAL TESTING

A novel ventricular assist device (HIA-EMLVAD-AT1, Helmholtz Institute Aachen-electromechanical Left Ventricular Assist Device-Animal Test V ersion 1), driven by a uniformly and unidirectionally rotating actuato r and a patented hypocycloidic pusherplate displacement gear unit, was developed and tested in an acute animal experiment. The excellent fre e filling behavior of the pump chamber with a stroke volume of 65 ml i s obtained by a 2:3 ejection-filling time relationship. The uniform mo tor rotation facilitates simple sensorless pre and afterload detection by motor current analysis. In contrast to common apical cannulation, the inlet cannula was placed via the left atrium through the mitral va lve into the left ventricle. This connection mode is preferable for le ft ventricular recovery and preservation. Left atrial, left ventricula r, and aortic pressure curves, as well as pulmonary artery flow data, were obtained. The data show very effective unloading of the natural v entricle and demonstrate the feasibility of this novel assist device. Directions for further improvement of technical features were also ide ntified.