Mock Test of Linear Pulse Motor-Driven Artificial Heart

This paper deals with the basic characteristics of a linear pulse motor-driven artificial heart, as obtained in mock tests. The artificial heart consists mainly of a linear pulse motor and a blood pump, which are mechanically coupled. The linear pulse motor has a flat structure, and is constructed from laminated sheets of permendure and rare-earth magnets. Two kinds of blood pumps, the diaphragm and the pusher-cup types, were prepared for use in mock tests. With the diaphragm-type pump, an aortic pressure of 69~103 mm Hg can be obtained at 113 bpm (beats/min). Using the pusher-cup type pump, an aortic pressure of 53~97 mm Hg was obtained at 130 bpm. The artificial heart was thus confirmed to have the potential for actual implantation.