An ultra-compact magnetically levitated pediatric ventricular assist device with low level heat generation utilizing bio-fluid transportation

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14677
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 20010:Mechanics and mechatronics-related
• Research Institution: Ibaraki University
• Principal Investigator: Osa Masahiro 茨城大学, 理工学研究科(工学野), 講師 (30735105)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: セルフベアリングモータ / アキシャルギャップ / 高効率化 / 発熱抑制 / 小児用人工心臓 / 血液ポンプ / 非接触支持

Outline of Final Research Achievements

An ultra-compact axial-gap self-bearing motor has been developed for an implantable pediatric ventricular assist device. The motor core material was changed to a magnetic powder core to reduce the eddy current loss of the self-bearing motor. The first prototype pump, which consists of the low loss motor and a centrifugal blood pump, indicated stable impeller suspension without contact at various operating conditions, and sufficient pump characteristics for pediatric circulatory support. A titanium blood pump was fabricated to achieve well blood compatibility. Stable circulatory support was achieved without excessive heat generation of the motor or thrombus formation in the blood pump during chronic animal test with extracorporeal circulation.

Free Research Field

機械力学・制御

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現状で臨床使用可能な小児用補助人工心臓は，世界でも体外設置型拍動流式のEXCOR Pediatriに限られる．本装置には，ポンプ内血栓や送脱血管刺入部の感染症のリスクが課題である．一方で，体内植込み型の連続流式人工心臓の実現には，耐久性および血液適合性の高い非接触インペラ支持機構の小型化が求められ，その実現が困難である．本研究における小型な磁気浮上モータによる浮上インペラの安定支持，発熱抑制が実現できれば，磁気浮上モータの小型化・高性能化に関する知見が得られるだけでなく，体格の小さな小児患者の長期循環補助治療の確立に貢献できる．