Design of a hybrid left ventricular assist device with a new wireless charging system

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to design a new wireless left ventricular assist device (LVAD) that can be charged without using a conventional transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS).MethodsOur new wireless LVAD was a hybrid pump operating in two different modes: magnetic and electric modes. The pump was driven wirelessly by extracorporeal rotating magnets in magnetic mode, whereas it was driven by electricity provided by an intracorporeal battery in electric mode. A magnetic torque transmission system was introduced to wirelessly transmit torque to the pump impeller. The intracorporeal battery was charged in magnetic mode making use of electromagnetic coils as a generator, whereas the coils were used as a motor in electric mode. To demonstrate the feasibility of our system, we conducted a bench-top durability test for 1 week.ResultsOur hybrid pump had shown sufficient pump performance as a LVAD, with a head pressure of approximately 80 mm Hg and a flow volume of 5.0 L/min, for 1 week. The intracorporeal battery was wirelessly charged enough to power electric mode for 2.5 h a day throughout the 1-week durability test.ConclusionsOur hybrid wireless LVAD system demonstrated the possibility of a wireless LVAD and has the potential to reduce medical complications of LVAD therapy. image

Automated summary

This study designed a new wireless left ventricular assist device that can be charged without a traditional transcutaneous energy transfer system. The device operates in two modes, magnetic and electric, and has shown sufficient performance in pump function and battery charging in a durability test.