The Use of Fluid Mechanics to Predict Regions of Microscopic Thrombus Formation in Pulsatile VADs.

We compare the velocity and shear obtained from particle image velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in a pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD) to further test our thrombus predictive methodology using microscopy data from an explanted VAD. To mimic physiological conditions , a mock circulatory loop is used with a blood analog that matched blood's viscoelastic behavior at 40% hematocrit. Under normal physiologic pressures and for a heart rate of 75 bpm, PIV data is acquired and wall shear maps are produced.

Computational fluid dynamics design and analysis of a passively suspended Tesla pump left ventricular assist device.

This article summarizes the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to design a novel suspended Tesla left ventricular assist device. Several design variants were analyzed to study the parameters affecting device performance. CFD was performed at pump speeds of 6500, 6750, and 7000 rpm and at flow rates varying from 3 to 7 liters per minute (LPM).

Validation of a CFD methodology for positive displacement LVAD analysis using PIV data.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to asses the hydrodynamic performance of a positive displacement left ventricular assist device. The computational model uses implicit large eddy simulation direct resolution of the chamber compression and modeled valve closure to reproduce the in vitro results. The computations are validated through comparisons with experimental particle image velocimetry (PIV) data.

A passively suspended Tesla pump left ventricular assist device.

The design and initial test results of a new passively suspended Tesla type left ventricular assist device blood pump are described. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was used in the design of the pump. Overall size of the prototype device is 50 mm in diameter and 75 mm in length.

Development and validation of a computational fluid dynamics methodology for simulation of pulsatile left ventricular assist devices.

An unsteady computational fluid dynamic methodology was developed so that design analyses could be undertaken for devices such as the 50cc Penn State positive-displacement left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The piston motion observed in vitro was modeled, yielding the physiologic flow waveform observed during pulsatile experiments. Valve closure was modeled numerically by locally increasing fluid viscosity during the closed phase.