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A Hydrodynamically Suspended, Magnetically Sealed Mechanically Noncontact Axial Flow Blood Pump: Design of a Hydrodynamic Bearing
Author(s) -
Mitamura Yoshinori,
Kido Kazuyuki,
Yano Tetsuya,
Sakota Daisuke,
Yambe Tomoyuki,
Sekine Kazumitsu,
OKamoto Eiji
Publication year - 2007
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.1525-1594.2007.00368.x
Subject(s) - impeller , bearing (navigation) , axial compressor , rotor (electric) , rotational speed , centrifugal pump , materials science , seal (emblem) , axial flow pump , rotation (mathematics) , mechanical engineering , fluid bearing , magnetic bearing , casing , positive displacement meter , flow (mathematics) , electric motor , mechanics , gas compressor , reciprocating pump , engineering , composite material , physics , lubrication , computer science , art , astronomy , artificial intelligence , visual arts
To overcome the drive shaft seal and bearing problem in rotary blood pumps, a hydrodynamic bearing, a magnetic fluid seal, and a brushless direct current (DC) motor were employed in an axial flow pump. This enabled contact‐free rotation of the impeller without material wear. The axial flow pump consisted of a brushless DC motor, an impeller, and a guide vane. The motor rotor was directly connected to the impeller by a motor shaft. A hydrodynamic bearing was installed on the motor shaft. The motor and the hydrodynamic bearing were housed in a cylindrical casing and were waterproofed by a magnetic fluid seal, a mechanically noncontact seal. Impeller shaft displacement was measured using a laser sensor. Axial and radial displacements of the shaft were only a few micrometers for motor speed up to 8500 rpm. The shaft did not make contact with the bearing housing. A flow of 5 L/min was obtained at 8000 rpm at a pressure difference of 100 mm Hg. In conclusion, the axial flow blood pump consisting of a hydrodynamic bearing, a magnetic fluid seal, and a brushless DC motor provided contact‐free rotation of the impeller without material wear.