EVOLUTION OF THE GYRO CENTRIFUGAL PUMP USING A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT

Gyro permanently implantable (PI) centrifugal pump with a double pivot bearing system has been developed in our laboratory. Excellent results were achieved as a left ventricular assist system (LVAS), surviving up to 283days. Even though the endurance of Gyro pivot bearing system was projected to be for 8 years, all of these experiments were terminated because of a functional inflow obstruction due to growth of the calf. Recent clinical reports regarding implantable pulsatile pump also encountered similar inflow problems. Based upon these results, development of a flexible inflow conduit was considered to be mandatory. A new flexible inflow conduit was designed to be placed between the native heart and the artificial heart. The Gyro PI LVASs with this flexible conduit were implanted into three calves. Ease of implantation, ease of inflow insertion and stable hemodynamics were demonstrated during these surgical feasibility studies for up to 10 days. In conclusion, this Gyro PI centrifugal pump with a flexible inflow conduit should be able to be implanted for a longer period of time in spite of the experimental animals growth.