Determination of the mechanical losses of the Penn State electrical ventricular assist device

The Penn State electric ventricular assist device (EVAD) consists of a brushless DC electric motor, rollerscrew, pusher plate, pump chamber, and valves. The authors analyze the mechanical linkage of the EVAD and quantify the dissipated energy of the rollerscrew and the supporting bearings. Their analysis sheds further light on the physical phenomenon undertaken in transforming the rotary motion of the armature into a linear motion of the pusher plate. Understanding this phenomenon enables them to construct a better mathematical model of the device, which can be used for identifying the possible modifications that will increase the efficiency of future EVAD designs.<
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