The aim of this work was to analyze a shrouded impeller pediatric ventricular assist device (SIP-VAD). This device has distinctive design characteristics and parameter optimizations for minimization of recirculation flow and reduction in high-stress regions that cause blood damage. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to analyze the optimized design. The bench-top prototype of SIP-VAD was manufactured with biocompatible stainless steel. A study on the hydrodynamic and hemodynamic performance of the SIP-VAD was conducted with predictions from CFD and actual experimentation values, and these results were compared. The CFD analysis yielded a pressure range of 29-90 mmHg corresponding to flow rates of 0.5-3 L/min over 9000-11000 rpm. The predicted value of the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) was 0.0048 g/100 L. The experimental results with the bench-top prototype showed a pressure rise of 30-105 mmHg for the flow speed of 8000-12000 rpm and flow rate of 0.5-3.5 L/min. The maximum difference between CFD and experimental results was 4 mmHg pressure. In addition, the blood test showed the average NIH level of 0.00674 g/100 L. The results show the feasibility of shrouded impeller design of axial-flow pump for manufacturing the prototype for further animal trials.
Keywords: Computational fluid dynamics; Hydraulic performance; Pediatric ventricular assist device; Shrouded impeller.