Magnetically Levitated Blood Pump Using LCR Circuits

An implantable blood pump has been developed for use as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The pump features total magnetic levitation of the shrouded centrifugal impeller. Sensorless levitation is achieved by using three ac magnets with tuned LCR circuits in the axial direction and a pair of permanent magnet rings in the radial direction. This paper describes design issues related to the pump’s magnetic levitation system; pump impact on patient physiology is not addressed.