The primary components of the pump drive unit are:
Inflow conduit: carries blood from the left ventricle to the pump.
Outflow valve and conduit: carries blood from the pump to the aorta.
Pre-chamber: fills from the left ventricle via the inflow conduit; connected to the pumping chamber via the transfer valve (not shown).
Pumping chamber: receives blood from the pre-chamber and pumps it into the aorta via the outflow valve and conduit.
Pusher plate: driven to the right and left by direct magnetic actuation, with no bearings or other wearing mechanism. Alternately compresses the pumping chamber and the pre-chamber.
Pump/Drive Unit
The operation of the pump drive unit is shown in the animation to the right.
When the pusher plate is driven to the right (pumping stroke), the pre-chamber expands, filling from the left ventricle. Simultaneously, the pumping chamber is compressed, ejecting blood into the body. When the pusher plate returns to the left (transfer stroke), the pre-chamber is compressed while the pumping chamber expands; blood transfers from the pre-chamber to the pumping chamber, with no inflow or outflow. Because the total volume of the two chambers remains constant as one fills and the other empties, the system can operate without a volume compensator or venting through the skin.
Availability
WorldHeart's Novacor II LVAS is not currently available.
In 2005, WorldHeart conducted the first animal implant of the Novacor II LVAS - ahead of schedule.
