Development and Implantation of Pendulum-Type Moving Actuator Total Artificial Heart (Korean Heart) for Human-size Animal

Abstract

A new version of a moving actuator electromechanical total artificial heart was designed to improve the total efficiency, durability, and fit inside the thoracic cavity. Compared with our present type of rolling-cylinder actuator, this new model has a pendulum- type actuator with reciprocating motion around a fixed circular path connected through the gear mechanisms to the motor. By using this mechanism, efficiency and "durability improved by replacing the sliding mechanism with rolling contact elements. Also, the height of the pump decreased from 9 cm to 7 cm with a static stroke volume of 65 cc. With this new pump, we performed two animal experiments. We also evaluated the engineering feasibility of implanting this pump into a small, human-size animal (less than 70 Kg).