Optimization of hydraulic seal design in a vad as an enclosed-impeller axial flow blood pump

摘要

In this work, which consists of a CFD analysis of a VAD( Ventricle Assist Device), we found that the geometrical characteristics of the hydraulic seal interfere with the performance of the VAD as an enclosed-impeller axial flow blood pump. We demosntrate this influence through 3D computations, in which we observe instabilities occuring in the hydraulic seal, that can be assimilated to a transient Taylor-like flow. These instabilities are investigated in differents hydraulic seal designs through statistical design experiments (DOE). This technique enable us to investigate explictly the effect of he seal's geometrical parameters on the overall performance of the VAD, leading us to the optimum seal design.