Analysis geometric profiles ceramic pivot bearing for the rotor of an implantable centrifugal blood pump

• Grant number: 13/21846-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2013
• End date: September 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Aron Jose Pazin de Andrade
• Grantee: Larissa Petta Menezes
• Host Institution: Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia (IDPC). Fundação Adib Jatene (FAJ). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

An Implantable Centrifugal Pump (ICP) is being developed at the Institute Dante Pazzanese Cardiology (IDPC) to be used as a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) in patients with heart failure (HF) while waiting for heart transplantation. ICP is composed of conical impeller with screw on its surface. This rotor has a set of magnets which is coupled to another set of magnets fixed to brushless (BLDC) stator which is driven by a commercially available electronic controller. The stator promotes rotation of the inner cone (impeller) thus causing pumping by centrifugal force, assisted by axial displacement of the screw threads of the rotor. ICP impeller is suspended by a ceramic - polymer bearing system designed to obtain low wear and, consequently, high durability of the system. In earlier tests, ultra - high molar polyethylene bearing mass showed wear when subjected to the force of 28 N axial , resulting in an inadequate durability for VAD . The objective of this project is to study, design and perform a simulation with different geometries of the bearing system through software Creo Parametric 2.0 ( PTC , Las Vegas , USA), using the tools Creo Flexible Modeling and Creo Simulate in order to contribute increasing the durability of the system. New geometries of the ceramic - polymer bearing system will be made through rapid prototyping technologies and machining. "In Vitro" dynamic tests will be conducted to evaluate in a comparative way the improves of the system.