A multiple disk centrifugal pump as a blood flow device

A study of a multiple-disk, shear force, valveless centrifugal pump to determine its suitability as a blood flow device is discussed. A pulsatile version of the Tesla viscous flow turbine was designed by modifying the original steady flow pump concept to produce physiological pressures and flows with the aid of controlling circuitry. Pressures and flows from this pump were compared to a Harvard Apparatus pulsatile piston pump. Both pumps were connected to an artificial circulatory system. Frequency and systolic duration were varied over a range of physiological conditions for both pumps. The results indicated that the Tesla pump, operating in a pulsatile mode, is capable of producing physiologic pressures and flows similar to those produced by the Harvard pump and other pulsatile blood pumps.