We are currently studying an intraventricular axial flow blood pump in vitro. It is designed for long term left ventricular support. The small (30 cc, 7 cm length) was capable of producing flows of 5 - 8 l/min on a 8 W motor, with no device related hemolysis throughout the 12 h of the study. The cost of production, except for the batteries, has been estimated at between 5 - 8 thousand dollars, a reasonable amount for routine clinical use in Brazil.
Heart assist devices; Assisted circulation
