A naturally shaped silicone ventricle evaluated in a mock circulation loop: a preliminary study

S. Gregory, D. Timms, M.J. Pearcy, Geoff D. Tansley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Mock circulation loops are used to evaluate the performance of cardiac assist devices prior to animal and clinical testing. A compressible, translucent silicone ventricle chamber that mimics the exact size, shape and motion of a failing heart is desired to assist in flow visualization studies around inflow cannulae during VAD support. The aim of this study was therefore to design and construct a naturally shaped flexible left ventricle and evaluate its performance in a mock circulation loop. The ventricle shape was constructed by the use of CT images taken from a patient experiencing cardiomyopathic heart failure and used to create a 3D image and subsequent mould to produce a silicone ventricle. Different cardiac conditions were successfully simulated to validate the ventricle performance, including rest, left heart failure and VAD support.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-191
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Medical Engineering and Technology
Volume33
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2009

Keywords

  • ventricular assist device
  • mock circulation loop
  • silicone ventricle

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