Magnetic Bearing System for an Artificial Heart

This paper describes a prototype continuous flow blood pump (CFVAD3) utilizing magnetic bearings. These bearings support a thin pancake impeller whose shape allows for a very compact pump with total axial length below 5cm and with a diameter of about 10cm. This gives a total volume of about 275cc. The impeller itself has 4 vanes with a designed operating point of 6 l/min at 100 mmHg of differential pressure and 2000 rpm. The advantages of magnetic bearings, such as large clearance spaces and zero mechanical wear, axe elaborated upon. Bearing parameters such as load capacity and current gains will also be described. Another purpose of this article will be to present the results of bearing performance measurements in a simulated adult human circulation system.