Medical Engineering & Physics
Volume 31, Issue 4 , Pages 454-460, May 2009

Finite element analysis of stresses developed in the blood sac of a left ventricular assist device

  • T.L. Haut Donahue

      Affiliations

    • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, United States
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Department of Mechanical Engineering, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931, United States. Tel.: +1 906 487 2078; fax: +1 906 487 2822.
    • ,
  • W. Dehlin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, United States
    • ,
  • J. Gillespie

      Affiliations

    • Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, United States
    • ,
  • W.J. Weiss

      Affiliations

    • Division of Artificial Organs, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center, United States
    • ,
  • G. Rosenberg

      Affiliations

    • Division of Artificial Organs, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center, United States

Received 29 November 2007; received in revised form 7 May 2008; accepted 11 November 2008. published online 09 January 2009.

Abstract 

The goal of this research is to develop a 3D finite element (FE) model of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to predict stresses in the blood sac. The hyperelastic stress–strain curves for the segmented poly(ether polyurethane urea) (SPEUU) blood sac were determined in both tension and compression using a servo-hydraulic testing system at various strain rates. Over the range of strain rates studied, the sac was not strain rate sensitive, however the material response was different for tension versus compression. The experimental tension and compression properties were used in a FE model that consisted of the pusher plate, blood sac and pump case. A quasi-static analysis was used to allow for nonlinearities due to contact and material deformation. The 3D FE model showed that blood sac stresses are not adversely affected by the location of the inlet and outlet ports of the device and that over the systolic ejection phase of the simulation the prediction of blood sac stresses from the full 3D model and an axisymmetric model are the same. Minimizing stresses in the blood sac will increase the longevity of the blood sac in vivo.

Keywords: Finite element analysis, LVAD, SPEUU, Artificial heart

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PII: S1350-4533(08)00202-6

doi:10.1016/j.medengphy.2008.11.011

Medical Engineering & Physics
Volume 31, Issue 4 , Pages 454-460, May 2009

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