Abstract
Mock circulation loops are used to evaluate the performance of cardiac assist devices prior to animal and clinical testing. A compressible, translucent silicone ventricle chamber that mimics the exact size, shape and motion of a failing heart is desired to assist in flow visualization studies around inflow cannulae during VAD support. The aim of this study was therefore to design and construct a naturally shaped flexible left ventricle and evaluate its performance in a mock circulation loop. The ventricle shape was constructed by the use of CT images taken from a patient experiencing cardiomyopathic heart failure and used to create a 3D image and subsequent mould to produce a silicone ventricle. Different cardiac conditions were successfully simulated to validate the ventricle performance, including rest, left heart failure and VAD support.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 185-191 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Mock circulation loop
- Silicone ventricle
- Ventricular assist device