A moving-actuator type electromechanical total artificial heart. I. Linear type and mock circulation experiments

A novel type of motor-driven total artificial heart system with a moving-actuator mechanism has been developed. The prototype system consists of a brushless DC motor inside a rolling cylinder, two arcshaped pusher plates, and two polyurethane sacs. The moving-actuator-type electromechanical pump has the structural advantages of small size and light weight, as compared to other motor-driven pumps with fixed actuator mechanisms. Results of mock circulation tests with a cardiac output of 9 L/min at an aortic pressure of 120 mm Hg and a heart rate of 120 b/m are reported.<
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