Reynolds stress measurements within the outlet port of the Penn State LVAD

A laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) was used to measure two components of velocity at 37 locations along the outlet port of a 70-cm ³ Plexiglas model of the Penn State electric left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The model ventricle was filled with a blood analog fluid and operated at normal physiological conditions. Two hundred and fifty realizations of the velocity components were measured at eight different times during the pump cycle. The collected data were processed to determine mean velocities and Reynolds stresses at each location and cycle time. The results reveal that a regurgitant jet which forms during diastole produces high mean velocities and potentially hemolytic Reynolds stresses