Visualization of Flow Patterns in the Centrifugal Blood Pumps with Particle Image Velocimetry

Particle image velocimetry with out-trigger synchronization system developed by the authors was applied to investigate the flow patterns and hemo-compatibility in the blood pumps. The results showed that: the particle image velocimetry with outer trigger realized the continuous sample of velocity in one flow path in the pumps; both the absolute velocity and relative velocity varied with impeller design, flow rate and differential pressure. In the design point (4 L/min, 100 mmHg), the flow patterns in the streamlined pump was regular while disorderly flow patterns such as vortex, flow separation and so on emerged in the pump with straight vanes. According to the hemodynamics, it is confirmed that the streamlined pump has better hemo-compatibility in the design point.