Unique Features and System Highlights
Impeller Design
The pump impeller has a distinct, open face with swept back vanes and is fixed to the pump’s rotor with a shaft. The impeller’s unique shape and positioning inside the chamber promote washing both above and below the impeller.
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Hydrodynamic Bearing
A hydrodynamic bearing is used to support the EVAHEART Blood Pump impeller shaft. The bearing’s lubricating fluid film, formed by re-circulating sterile water, reduces wear on the moving surfaces thereby extending pump life.
Flow Conduits
The Inflow Cannula has a flexible body to facilitate pump positioning and textured tip to promote tissue ingrowth. Both the Inflow Cannula and Outflow Graft have large inner diameters (16 mm) which minimize restriction of flow and, thus, support the pump’s performance.
Pump Performance
The EVAHEART HQ (pressure-flow) Curve has a flat profile. According to Yamazaki et. al.1, this allows the LVAS to achieve high instantaneous flows with small changes in head pressure. (see the Theory of Operation)
Proprietary MPC Coating
The blood contacting surfaces inside the Blood Pump, Inflow Cannula, and Outflow Graft are coated with a specialized polymer, 2-methylacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC). This MPC polymer coating is intended to reduce thrombogenicity.2
Extended Durability
The average duration of support in Japan is more than 965 days, with no replacements of the Blood Pump. No pump failures have been seen in clinical or bench testing in 5+ years of testing.
References
- Yamazaki K, Saito S, Kihara S, et al. Completely Pulsatile high flow circulatory support with a constant speed centrifugal blood pump: mechanisms and early clinical observations. General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2007, Vol. 55, No. 4: 158-162.
- Snyder TA, Tsukui H, Kihara S, et.al Preclinical biocompatibility assessment of the EVAHEART ventricular assist device: coating comparison and platelet activation. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2007 Apr; 81(1):85-92.