Study on flow patterns of blood pumps with computational fluid dynamics

Objective To study the application of computational fluid dynamics(CFD) in designing of artificial heart. Methods The fluid dynamics in an axial flow pump and a volute flow pump was analyzed three-dimensional by using CFD Fluent 6.1 software. Results The pressure -flow curves,hydraulic efficiencies and scalar fluid stress levels of the blood pumps were calculated by CFD modeling. Conclusion It is demonstrated that there is positive correlation between computed pressure-flow characteristics and in vitro experimental results. The CFD analysis enables the engineers to predict hemolysis on a computer. Thus the CFD is a useful tool for developing blood pumps.