The Fabrication of in Vitro Units and Blood Pumps for in Vivo Testing

摘要

A circular assist device (a blood pumping chamber without valves) was fabricated from silicone rubber for in vivo testing. This pump can be used as an operating or non-operating device. As a non-operating in vivo device, its bladder is not flexed; this produces a tubular blood path of approximately 12 inches through the entire device. As an operating in vivo device, the pump is used for counter pulsation. Because this device has no valves, its only function is to apply pressure to the blood which is forced back toward the heart and also down the remaining portion of the aorta. In a related area, the fabrication of prototypes of newly designed blood handling devices was carried out. (Author)