Mechanical circulatory supports designed for failed Fontan circulation require high flow rates (>5L min) but low pressure rises (<15mmHg). This requirement significantly differs from those for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), which operate at a much higher pressure rise. The off-label use of LVADs for Fontan patients puts the pump under a severely off-design condition, increasing the possibility of complications. In this project, we proposed a novel design inspired by aerospace technology, which uses a rotating array of thin airfoils to achieve a high flow rate with a relatively low-pressure rise. This innovative pump will be further optimized to reduce the hemolytic risk and provide long-term support. The optimization will utilize advanced computational fluid dynamics simulations and a virtual surgery technique that integrates the pump with patient-specific anatomy and hemodynamics data.

Virtual Surgery
Virtual Surgery
Huang Chen
Huang Chen
Assistant Professor