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Thesis
Design and evaluation of collapsible pitch-adjusting impeller for use in mechanical cavopulmonary assist device of Fontan patients
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Dec 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6697
Abstract
Thousands of children are born each year with multiple malformations of their heart chambers and are categorized to have a single ventricle physiology. Surgical palliation is required for these patients to survive, and these staged-surgeries produce a unique anatomic configuration where the single ventricle functions as the systemic ventricle and the vessel connections in the pulmonary circulation facilitate passive blood flow to the lungs. Thus, one ventricle performs the workload of both the systemic and pulmonary circulations. The cardiovascular stresses imposed by the single ventricle Fontan physiology leads to premature dysfunction and heart failure. A heart transplant is a treatment option, but limited donor organs and matching constraints create substantial challenges. Blood pumps or mechanical assistive technology can provide temporary circulatory support until a donor organ is located, but current devices are over designed for mechanical assistance of the single ventricle physiology or cavopulmonary circuit. Hence, to address this unmet therapeutic need, we are developing an intravascular blood pump to provide mechanical cavopulmonary assistance to Fontan patients. In this thesis project, more than 10 rigid and 4 collapsible prototypes were designed, manufactured, and hydraulically tested in a flow loop using a blood analog solution. Flexibility, collapsibility, and blade twist were parameters of focus in the development of the prototypes and in consideration of maximal pump performance. Materials of construction included various polyurethanes, Nitinol wire, and watershed resin. All of the prototypes generated pressures and flows in the target range to support Fontan patients. This research serves as a solid foundation from where to begin the next phase of pump development toward designing a fully functioning and effective collapsible, pitch - adjusting blood pump. This new blood pump will advance the current state-of-the-art and operate as a bridge-to-transplant or bridge-to-recovery for children and adults with dysfunctional Fontan physiology.
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Details
- Title
- Design and evaluation of collapsible pitch-adjusting impeller for use in mechanical cavopulmonary assist device of Fontan patients
- Creators
- Jay P. Patel - DU
- Contributors
- Amy Throckmorton (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 69 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6697; 991014632254504721