A Bearingless Motor for a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

A magnetically levitated motor for a long-term implantable centrifugal LVAD (HeartMate III) has been developed and tested. It is based on so-called “bearingless motor” technology that combines drive, magnetic bearing, and pump rotor functions in a single unit. Several prototypes and animal studies demonstrate that this is a simple, compact, robust, and highly efficient solution that fulfills the requirements of an implantable long-term centrifugal blood pump.