The flow field inside the Berlin ventricle assist device

In many cases, heart disease may be so advanced that there is no chance for the patient to survive the wait for a donor heart. Therefore, the development of cardiac assist devices is of the utmost importance to the survivability, and even for the rehabilitation of patients awaiting heart transplants. Temporary ventricle assist devices (VADs), which functionally replace the failing heart, are being used in increasing numbers. Some of the most important factors that affect the longevity of the VADs are their hemodynamic properties. Interaction of blood with the moving components, stagnation regions or high shear stresses may promote thrombosis and hemolysis with detrimental effects on the operation of the VAD. The study of the flow field inside the VAD is, therefore, of importance both for optimising existing designs or developing new ones