IN-VIVO EVALUATION OF THE HIA-VAD - A NEW GERMAN VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE

Helmholtz Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) are pneumatically driven po lyurethane membrane pumps with various volumes. The pumps are placed p aracorporeally and connected with commercially available cannulas betw een the left atrium and aorta (left ventricular assist device) and/or right atrium and pulmonary artery (right ventricular assist device, bi -ventricular assist device). The pumps can be driven with a stand-alon e driving system or with a Helmholtz IABP-console interface. Seventeen animal experiments (on calves) with Helmholtz VAD's were performed to evaluate experimental protocols, to optimize surgical techniques, and to improve design and manufacturing techniques. Blood chemistry and c ell counts demonstrated that the tested HIA-70 produces low mechanical blood damage. In the course of the animal experiments the Helmholtz V AD's were made totally transparent, whereby they became easy to de-air , efficient, and affordable.