Biomedical subjects

S R Topaz

Publications and source records attributed to S R Topaz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

History of the Kolff Laboratory turbine driven electrohydraulic artificial heart.

The concept of an electrically powered total artificial heart has been pursued by Dr. Kolff and his associates since the 1960s. Since the 1980s these efforts have been concentrated upon the development of the electrohydraulic total artificial heart, a turbine pump powered by a brushless DC motor. Dr. Kolff realized the benefits of pulsatile flow and device response to Starling's Law, and these concepts have formed the basis of subsequent design decisions. Design iterations have both solved existing problems and exposed new challenges. The current device design is greatly improved over early attempts due to the incorporation of technologies that have recently become available as the result of progress in the fields of materials and electronics and due to the lessons learned over many years of research under the guidance of Dr. Kolff. This article describes, from its inception, the last major research project of Dr. Kolff prior to his retirement. The discussion centers around development, problems and their solutions, and the reasoning for given solutions.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A computer controlled pulsatile pump: preliminary study.

A Stepper Motor Driven Reciprocating Pump (SDRP) can replace roller pumps and rotary pumps for cardio pulmonary bypass, hemodialysis and regional perfusion. The blood pumping ventricles are basically the same as ventricles used for air driven artificial hearts and ventricular assist devices. The electric stepper motor uses a flexible linkage belt to produce a reciprocating movement, which pushes a hard sphere into the diaphragm of the blood ventricles. The SDRP generates pulsatile flow and has a small priming volume. The preset power level of the motor driver limits the maximum potential outflow pressure, so the driver acts as a safety device. A double pump can be made by connecting two fluid pumping chambers to opposing sides of the motor base. Each pump generates pulsatile flow. Pressure and flow studies with water were undertaken. Preliminary blood studies showed low hemolysis, even when circulating a small amount of blood up to 16 hours.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Concept of a soft, compressible artificial ventricle under evaluation.

This study was designed to compare the relative merits of soft and rigid artificial ventricles. A cascade mock circulation was used to measure cardiac output under different circumstances. The data show that these soft air driven ventricles show a Starling's-like response over a wider range of filling pressures than identical, but rigid, ventricles. Compression of soft ventricles by high intrathoracic pressures was simulated in vitro. Air pressures up to +20 mm Hg did not seriously affect soft ventricles. Cardiac tamponade was simulated by compressing the ventricle in a closed fluid compartment. Tamponade became severe when volume reduction of the ventricle rose to 60 ml. Hemolysis caused by soft and rigid ventricles was tested in a blood bag set-up and was 48-82% higher in the rigid ventricle, depending on the driving conditions. Possibly, this could be explained by the authors' finding that rigid ventricles showed a 20% higher intraventricular dP/dtmax value than soft ventricles. Soft ventricles were implanted in three calves as a total artificial heart (TAH). Implantation without quick connectors was easy because the surgeon could easily fold and compress the ventricles. No physiological complications of softness were observed. Blood damage in the animals was low (less than 5 mg/dl). The authors conclude that soft ventricles show distinct surgical and functional advantages over rigid ventricles.

Animals↗

PubMed1974