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A Ferrofluidic Actuator for an Implantable Artificial Heart
Author(s) -
Mitamura Yoshinori,
Wada Tatsuhiko,
Sakai Reisuke
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.1992.tb00329.x
Subject(s) - ferrofluid , solenoid , actuator , magnetic field , materials science , cylinder , magnetic flux , electromagnet , magnet , mechanical engineering , physics , electrical engineering , engineering , quantum mechanics
The feasibility of using a ferrofluidic actuator for an artificial heart was studied. A ferrofluidic actuator directly drives magnetic fluids simply by applying a magnetic field to the ferrofluids and does not require a bearing. Magnetic fluid in a U‐shaped glass cylinder was placed in an air gap of a solenoid. When a magnetic flux of 0.32 T was applied to the interface of the ferrofluid and air, the ferrofluid was displaced and a pressure of 7.58 kPa (57 mm Hg) was obtained. An array of three poles of solenoids was mounted near the U‐shaped glass cylinder. The solenoids were sequentially activated and deactivated. A pressure of 9.98 kPa (75 mm Hg)/‐1.33 kPa (‐10 mm Hg) was obtained. Calculations indicate that a magnetic flux of 0.49 T is enough to obtain a pressure of 13.3 kPa (100 mm Hg). A ferrofluidic actuator is promising for use with an implantable artificial heart.