Key result
Experimental asymmetric valveless pump achieves ~1 L/min flows, showing potential for pediatric circulatory support.
Why the study?
There is a paucity of research surrounding the governing parameters of asymmetric valveless pumping relevant to pediatric extravascular flow augmentation.
Asymmetric valveless pumping demonstrates performance metrics suitable for pediatric circulatory devices (~1 L/min and <30 mmHg) with mechanical simplicity.
Benchtop asymmetric pumping meets pediatric flow/pressure targets without reverse flow; leaves open translation to clinical circulatory support.
Asymmetric pumping is a sub-category of valveless pumping in which a flexible tube is rhythmically compressed in the transverse symmetry plane. Due to the resulting asymmetry between the suction and discharge pipes, a net pumping head is achieved. Asymmetric pumping is regarded as one of the main mechanisms responsible for the Liebau effect in addition to impedance pumping. However, there remains a paucity of research surrounding the governing parameters of asymmetric pumping. Here, we conducted an experimental study of the performance of an asymmetric pump, with an aim to assess its potential for extravascular flow augmentation. A custom flexible latex tube and experimental platform were developed for this purpose. We tested various tube thicknesses and pinching frequencies. Our results demonstrate that the performance is within the range of physiological requirements for pediatric circulatory devices (~ 1 L/min and < 30 mmHg). We conclude that due to the absence of reverse flow and its mechanical simplicity, pure asymmetric pumping is promising for selected cardiovascular applications with less complexity than other valveless techniques.
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Anatol et al. (2022) studied Pediatric extravascular flow augmentation (in vitro model). Asymmetric valveless pump was evaluated on Pump performance (flowrate and pressure head). An experimental asymmetric valveless pump achieved flowrates of approximately 1 L/min and pressures <30 mmHg, demonstrating potential suitability for pediatric extravascular circulatory support.
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