Implantation of the VentrAssist Implantable Rotary Blood Pump in sheep.

The VentrAssist Implantable Rotary Blood Pump (IRBP) is a hydrodynamically suspended, electromagnetically driven, centrifugal blood pump that provides continuous flow of up to 10 L/min at 3,000 rpm. In vivo studies in sheep were conducted to assess system design and performance. Surgery involved thoracotomy with subdiaphragmatic pump placement.

Initial in vivo experience of the VentrAssist implantable rotary blood pump in sheep.

VentrAssist (VentrAssist Division, Ventracor Ltd., Chatswood, NSW, Australia) has developed an implantable centrifugal blood pump with an integrated rotor and impeller that is hydrodynamically suspended. Bench testing has been used to assess the performance of the pump under a broad range of operating conditions.