Preliminary Design Methodology and Prototype of a Passive Magnetic Suspension System for a Blood Axial Flow Pump

In Costa Rica, cardiovascular diseases are one of the principal death causes. At Instituto Tecnologico de Costa Rica there is a working group developing an axial ventricular assistance device. One of the problems that must be solved is the design of a system allowing the rotor to levitate within the device's channel, avoiding the impeller to cause any damage to the blood. This paper presents the design process for a passive magnetic suspension system prototype, based on the use of an external concentrator bearing, and an internal radial bearing.