Biomedical subjects

Y Taenaka

Publications and source records attributed to Y Taenaka.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Computational fluid dynamics analysis to establish the design process of a centrifugal blood pump: second report.

To establish an efficient design process for centrifugal blood pumps, the results of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis were compared to the results of flow visualization tests and hemolysis tests, using the Nikkiso centrifugal blood pump. CFD analysis revealed that the radial gap greatly affected the shear stress in the outlet diffuser. The hemolysis study also indicated a similar tendency. To see the flow behind the impeller, we conducted a comparative study between models with and without washout holes using the CFD technique. CFD analysis indicated that flow and pressure distributions behind the impeller were different between both models, and a particle was observed to remain longer behind the impeller in the model without washout holes. In the future, CFD analysis could be a useful tool for developing blood pumps in comparison to flow visualization tests and hemolysis tests.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1999

Prolonged nonpulsatile left heart bypass diminishes vascular contractility.

We investigated possible functional changes in the vascular system accompanying the morphological change in prolonged nonpulsatile left heart bypass (LHB). Three adult goats underwent pulsatile LHB. Two weeks postoperatively, the pulsatile ventricular assist device was replaced with a centrifugal pump and nonpulsatile LHB was subsequently conducted for 4 weeks. The mean aortic pulse pressure was 39 and 16 mmHg during the pulsatile and nonpulsatile LHB, respectively Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and plasma norepinephrine levels were measured at the end of pulsatile LHB (PUL), and at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week of nonpulsatile LHB (NP1w, NP2w, NP3w, NP4w, respectively). At each point, 50 microg/kg nitroglycerin and 1 microg/kg norepinephrine were injected and the minimal and maximal values of SVR after injection were calculated as parameters reflecting the vascular tonus and contractility. The SVR and plasma nor epinephrine level did not significantly change during the entire course (SVR: 1106, 895, 982, 920, and 938 dyne x sec x cm(-5); norepinephrine level: 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.1 ng/ml; at PUL, NP1w, NP2w, NP3w, and NP4w, respectively). The minimal value of SVR after nitroglycerin injection remained unchanged, indicating that vascular tonus was stable during the entire course (618, 687, 623, 560, 653 dyne x sec x cm(-5), respectively). In contrast, the maximal value of SVR after norepinephrine injection at NP3w and NP4w (1695 and 1759 dyne x sec x cm(-5)) became significantly reduced compared to that at PUL (2346 dyne x sec x cm(-5)). These results indicated that prolonged nonpulsatile left heart bypass did not affect the vascular tonus, but significantly diminished the vascular contractility.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Flow visualization as a complementary tool to hemolysis testing in the development of centrifugal blood pumps.

With a 250% scaled-up pump model, high speed video camera, and argon ion laser light sheet, flow patterns related to hemolysis were visualized and analyzed with 4 frame particle tracking software. Different flow patterns and shear distributions were clarified by flow visualization for pumps modified to have different hemolysis levels. A combination of in vitro hemolysis tests, flow visualization, and CFD analysis suggested a close relationship between hemolysis and high shear caused by small impeller/casing gaps. Because arbitrary cross sections can be illuminated by laser light sheet, flow visualization is a useful tool in finding locations related to hemolysis in the design process of rotary blood pumps.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1998

Development of a flow estimation and control system of an implantable centrifugal blood pump for circulatory assist.

A bypass flow rate estimation and control system (BECS) for an implantable centrifugal blood pump (ICBP) has been developed in our institute. The estimated flow rate (EF) of the ICBP was derived from the electric power consumption, the rotating speed of a motor, and the blood viscosity presumed by the hematocrit and body temperature. The error in the EF was 0.5 +/- 0.4 L/min in in vivo experiments for 40 days. The rotating speed of the motor was controlled automatically every 200 ms to bring the EF in accord with the desired flow rate (DF). The reactivity and accuracy of the BECS were investigated in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The ICBP was operated by the BECS in a mock circuit in parallel with a pulsatile ventricular assist device (PVAD) to simulate left heart bypass. The reactivity was evaluated by changing the DF from 7 L/min to 5 L/min at an afterload of 160/97 mm Hg. To evaluate the accuracy of the BECS, the ICBP was driven under the aortic pressure of 110/85 mm Hg in the abdominal wall of an adult goat (70 kg). The DF was set at 5 L/min for 4 min for the goat in an awake condition. It took 13 s to change the flow rate in the in vitro experiment. The measured flow rate (MF) was maintained at 5.0 +/- 0.2 L/min by the BECS in vivo. In conclusion, the BECS has moderate reactivity and accuracy.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1998

Intrathoracic and intraabdominal wall implantation of a centrifugal blood pump for circulatory assist.

An implantable centrifugal pump (ICP) 320 ml in volume and 830 g in weight has been developed for prolonged circulatory assist. The antithrombogenicity of the ICP is provided by a balancing hole in the center of the impeller. The watertightness and histocompatibility of the ICP are supported by its silicone ring seal and its casing of titanium and acrylic resin, respectively. The total efficiency of the ICP was 30% at a 5 L/min flow rate and a 100 mm Hg head. The heat generation, watertightness, and anatomical fitting of the ICP were assessed in an intrathoracic implantation in a goat (66 kg) and in an intraabdominal wall implantation in a goat (70 kg). Warfarin was given for anticoagulation in each experiment to keep the prothrombin time around 1.7 times that of the control. The temperatures of the pump surface, the pleura, and the room were measured every 3 h. Anatomical fitting was evaluated by pathological observation after the termination of the experiment. The ICP could run for 40 days in the chest cavity and for 11 days in the abdominal wall. The temperature of the motor remained about 1.8 degrees C higher than the reference in both experiments. The ICP was completely covered by a layer of smooth fibrous tissue. The moisture content of the seals remained normal. Although a small amount of atelectasis was found in the lingula, neither lung adhesion nor necrotic change of the chest wall was observed. The inflammation of the surrounding tissue including foreign body reaction and thermal burn was minimal. In conclusion, the ICP has satisfied in vivo testing of its watertightness, exothermicity, and anatomical fitting.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1998

Prolonged nonpulsatile left heart bypass with reduced systemic pulse pressure causes morphological changes in the aortic wall.

We investigated the morphological changes in the aorta due to reduced systemic pulse pressure in prolonged nonpulsatile left heart bypass (LHB). Nineteen adult goats were divided into 3 groups, the nonpulsatile group in which nonpulsatile LHB was conducted, the pulsatile group in which pulsatile LHB was conducted, and the control group used as the normal control. The average aortic pulse pressures were 12, 47, and 37 mm Hg, respectively. The descending aorta was subjected to morphological examination. In the nonpulsatile group, the wall was significantly thinner, and the volume ratio of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was much lower. In terms of the SMC type classification, the proportion of SMCs with low activity and low contractility was higher, and the cell density of the SMCs was increased compared to those in the other groups. These results indicate that prolonged nonpulsatile LHB causes morphological atrophic changes in the aorta.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Development of design methods of a centrifugal blood pump with in vitro tests, flow visualization, and computational fluid dynamics: results in hemolysis tests.

There are few established engineering guidelines aimed at reducing hemolysis for the design of centrifugal blood pumps. In this study, a fluid dynamic approach was applied to investigate hemolysis in centrifugal pumps. Three different strategies were integrated to examine the relationship between hemolysis and flow patterns. Hemolytic performances were evaluated in in vitro tests and compared with the flow patterns analyzed by flow visualization and computational fluid dynamic (CFD). Then our group tried to establish engineering guidelines to reduce hemolysis in the development of centrifugal blood pumps. The commercially available Nikkiso centrifugal blood pump (HPM-15) was used as a standard, and the dimensions of 2 types of gaps between the impeller and the casing, the axial and the radial gap, were varied. Four impellers with different vane outlet angles were also prepared and tested. Representative results of the hemolysis tests were as follows: The axial gaps of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mm resulted in normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) values of 0.0028, 0.0013 and 0.0008 g/100 L, respectively. The radial gaps of 0.5 and 1.5 mm resulted in NIH values of 0.0012 and 0.0008 g/100 L, respectively. The backward type vane and the standard one resulted in NIH values of 0.0013 and 0.0002 g/100 L, respectively. These results revealed that small gaps led to more hemolysis and that the backward type vane caused more hemolysis. Therefore, the design parameters of centrifugal blood pumps could affect their hemolytic performances. In flow visualization tests, vortices around the impeller outer tip and tongue region were observed, and their patterns varied with the dimensions of the gaps. CFD analysis also predicted high shear stress consistent with the results of the hemolysis tests. Further investigation of the regional flow patterns is needed to discuss the cause of the hemolysis in centrifugal blood pumps.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Computational fluid dynamic analyses to establish design process of centrifugal blood pumps.

To establish quantitative, efficient design theories for centrifugal blood pumps, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses were compared to the results of flow visualization tests and hemolysis tests, mainly on the Nikkiso centrifugal blood pump. The results turned out to coincide in the velocity vector plots. CFD analysis revealed that the smaller the gap is, the greater the shear stress becomes. This tendency becomes even greater with a radial gap change. Hemolysis study also indicated that the smaller the gap is, the greater the hemolysis. CFD analysis in comparison with hemolysis tests could be a useful index for developing blood pumps in the future.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1997

Effects of self washout structure on the antithrombogenicity and the hemolytic properties of a centrifugal pump.

Antithrombogenicity in an initial type (N1) of a centrifugal pump (CP) developed in our institute is provided by the central balancing hole of an impeller. A new CP (N2) was modified to obtain better antithrombogenicity, in which the balancing hole was widened to improve self washout flow velocity (Vsf), and an edge of the thrust bearing was rounded off to minimize flow separation. Effects of the modifications were assessed in vitro and in vivo studies. The Vsf of the N1 and the N2 evaluated by a Doppler velocimeter were 12.8 and 22.1 cm/s, respectively. Flow around the thrust bearing, which was visualized by a light cutting method, confirmed less flow stagnation in the N2. The hemolytic indices of the N1 and the N2 were 0.023 and 0.008 mg/dl, respectively. In vivo antithrombogenicity and the hemolytic properties of the N2 and the N1 were investigated without anticoagulation therapy in 3 goats. In each goat the N2 was driven for 1 week and exchanged for the N1, which was driven for the same period. Red thrombi at the thrust bearing were found in 2 N1s, and 2 small thrombi were on the impeller of another N1, whereas a thrombus of less than 1 mm3 at the TB was noted in 1 N2. Plasma free hemoglobin was not increased in either CP. These results indicate that the N2 has better antithrombogenicity and hemolytic properties than the N1.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Long-term evaluation of a nonpulsatile mechanical circulatory support system.

Antithrombogenicity of a centrifugal pump (CP) developed in our institute is provided by a central balancing hole (BH) in the impeller. A current CP, the National Cardiovascular Center (NCVC)-2, was ameliorated to improve antithrombogenicity, whereby the BH diameter was widened to improve self washout flow velocity, and an edge of the thrust bearing was rounded off to minimize flow separation. Effects of these modifications were assessed in a long-term in vivo experiment. The antithrombogenicity, hemolytic property, and mechanical durability of the NCVC-2 were investigated in 3 goats. The NCVC-2 was installed paracorporeally between the left atrium and the aorta and driven as long as possible at rotating speeds of about 2,800 rpm. The NCVC-2 ran for 50, 200, and 367+ days. The mean bypass flow rates were 6.8, 5.0, and 5.3 L/min, respectively. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) did not increase until one week before termination. Plasma free hemoglobin was kept to a level less than 15 mg/dl, except for the last week of the second case. These results indicate that the NCVC-2 has excellent antithrombogenicity, an acceptable hemolytic property and the necessary durability for prolonged use.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1997

Noninvasive pump flow estimation of a centrifugal blood pump.

A flow rate estimating method was investigated for a centrifugal blood pump developed in our institute. The estimated flow rate was determined by the power consumption, the rotating speed of the motor, and the hematocrit value. The power consumption and the rotating speed of the motor were measured with a wattmeter. The examinations were performed in a closed mock loop filled with goat blood with hematocrit values of 21.5%, 28%, 34%, and 42%. Measured values of blood viscosity were 2.47, 3.09, 3.71, and 5.07 mPa.s at a share rate of 37.5/s, respectively. A linear correlation between the power consumption and the pump flow rate was observed in all hematocrit values. But variations in hematocrit caused a difference in the flow rate up to 1.1 L/min at the same power consumption and rotating speed. Effects of blood viscosity on the flow estimation were corrected by the hematocrit value. The value of the coefficient of determination, R2, between the estimated flow rate and the measured flow rate was 0.988. These results may indicate that the flow estimating method calculated by the power consumption of the motor, the rotating speed, and the hematocrit value is useful in the clinical situation.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Influence of prolonged ventricular assistance on myocardial histopathology in intact heart.

BACKGROUND: The unloading effect of ventricular assistance on the injured myocardium may adversely affect the compensatory hypertrophy of the residual intact myocardium because myocardial protein synthesis is partly controlled by cardiac work. The influence of prolonged ventricular assistance on normal myocardium was evaluated from a pathologic point of view. METHODS: A ventricular assist device was chronically implanted in 5 goats using left atrium-aorta bypass. The pumping ratio was fixed at 70 beats/min. Left ventricular biopsy samples were taken before and 1 month after assistance. RESULTS: Although the volume densities of myocytes and interstitial tissue in the myocardium showed no significant changes after 1 month of support, the myocyte volume density to nuclear volume density ratio and the interstitial tissue volume density to nuclear volume density ratio decreased significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). A cross-sectional area of myocyte showed decreases of 20.9% to 49.5%, whereas the nuclear cross-sectional area showed no significant changes. In addition, myofibrillar volume density in the cytoplasm decreased from 54.9 +/- 2.3% to 49.1 +/- 4.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that long-term ventricular assistance in the intact heart leads to myocardial atrophy. This suggests that in the damaged heart subjected to prolonged unloading by ventricular assistance, there is the possibility of limiting compensatory hypertrophic changes in the residual intact myocardium.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Impact of systemic depulsation on tissue perfusion and sympathetic nerve activity.

BACKGROUND: We postulated that pathophysiologic processes under nonpulsatile circulation are related to the behavior of the sympathetic nerve activity that regulates tissue perfusion. METHODS: Pulsatile and nonpulsatile pumps were installed in parallel in the left heart bypass circuit of anesthetized goats (n = 9) so that pulsatile circulation could be converted to nonpulsatile circulation instantly. At 5 minutes before and after systemic depulsation, we measured hemodynamic indices, renal nerve activity, and regional blood flow of the brain, heart, and renal cortex. RESULTS: Renal nerve activity was significantly elevated after systemic depulsation (15.6 +/- 9.3 versus 19.4 +/- 9.8 microV), when mean aortic pressure remained almost constant. The renal cortical flow was significantly reduced after depulsation (3.61 +/- 1.23 versus 2.93 +/- 1.19 mL.min-1.g-1), whereas no significant difference was found in the regional blood flow of the brain or the heart. CONCLUSIONS: The significant reduction of renal cortical blood flow after systemic depulsation is associated with a significant increase in renal nerve activity. Our results suggest that increased renal nerve activity plays an important role in the reduction of renal function after systemic depulsation.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Influence of ventricular fibrillation on sympathetic nerve activity under biventricular bypass circulation.

Autonomic nerves play an important role in circulatory control. The characteristics of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) during artificial circulation, however, are not well understood. In this study, we examined the influence of natural heart beating on the renal SNA (RSNA) using pulsatile 100% biventricular assistance and electrically induced ventricular fibrillation in anesthetized goats, whose heart rate and size are similar to the human heart's. Following induction of the ventricular fibrillation, the pulse-synchronous discharges in the RSNA did not change their periodicity and quantity significantly. It was concluded that the beating of the heart had little influence on the RSNA and was presumably not essential for maintaining nervous control of circulation as long as the circulation was maintained by an artificial heart.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A volume-controlled liquid ventilator with pressure-limit mode: imperative expiratory control.

Liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon (PFC) has been considered to offer advantages over gas ventilation to respiratory distress syndrome patients. We developed a volume-controlled liquid ventilator with pressure-limit mode; inspiration is performed mechanically with an actuator under the preset limit of the intratracheal pressure (Paw); expiration is performed by gravity assistance. Oxygenation and CO2 removal of PFC are done with a membrane oxygenator. An endotracheal tube with a Paw monitor line was placed in 5 rabbits weighing 2.7 +/- 0.6 kg, and liquid ventilation was conducted with the condition that the upper and lower limits of Paw were 20 and -20 mm Hg, respectively. The best arterial pH and gas tension were examined. The averaged arterial pH and gas tension were examined. The averaged arterial pH. Pao2, Paco2, and Sao2 were 7.45 mm Hg, 369 mm Hg, 46.2 mm Hg, and 100% at the best values, respectively. Ventilatory conditions at the best values were as follows: ventilation rates, tidal volume peak Paw, average Paw, and trough Paw were 5-15 (11 +/- 4) times/min, 13.3-17.3 (15.6 +/- 1.4) ml/kg, 5-18 (12 +/- 5) mm Hg, -7-4 (-1 +/- 4) mm Hg, and -20(-)-6 (-13 +/- 5) mm Hg, respectively. Pressure-limit control of the system worked well, but in the initial 3 animals, fluorothrax, that is the leakage of PFC into thoracic cavity, was recognized at the Paw from 20 to 25 mm Hg after the upper pressure limit was raised to 25 mm Hg to improve Paco2. The fluorothrax seemed to be caused by excess end-expiratory residual volume. An expiratory control mechanism appears to be imperative for further improvement of our liquid ventilator.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Sympathetic nerve activities in pulsatile and nonpulsatile systemic circulation in anesthetized goats.

To investigate the effects of pulsatile and nonpulsatile systemic circulation on the sympathetic nerve activity, using a left heart bypass technique, we converted systemic circulation between the pulsatile and the nonpulsatile mode in anesthetized goats and analyzed differences in periodicity and quantity of renal nerve activity (RNA). After pulsatile systemic circulation was converted to the nonpulsatile mode, the mean RNA was significantly increased from 10.7 +/- 3.6 to 13.1 +/- 3.4 microV and periodic discharges of RNA, which corresponded to pulse-related rhythm during pulsatile circulation, became obscure, whereas an 8-12 cycle/s rhythm, which was distinguished and accounted for 30 +/- 9% of total intervals during pulsatile circulation, became dominant (48 +/- 11%). These results clarified a significant increase in mean RNA after depulsation of the systemic circulation and indicated that the cardiac-related rhythm in RNA could be produced by periodic inputs from arterial baroceptors alone, whereas the 8-12 cycle/s rhythm that was present regardless of the type of circulation was the fundamental rhythm originating from the vasomotor center.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Development of a centrifugal pump with improved antithrombogenicity and hemolytic property for chronic circulatory support.

A centrifugal pump with a unique structure has been developed for chronic support. The pump is driven by a magnetic coupling and has no rotating shaft, no seal around the rotating part, and a balancing hole at the center of the impeller and the thrust bearing. The pump was improved in stepwise fashion to realize good antithrombogenicity and low hemolysis. The first pump, the National Cardiovascular Center (NCVC)-0, had an impeller with 4 rectangular and curved vanes; 6 triangularly shaped curved vanes were employed in the second model, the NCVC-1, to reduce trauma to the blood. In the third design, the NCVC-2, the central hole was enlarged, and the thrust bearing shoulder was rounded so that blood washing was enhanced around the impeller; stream lines also were smoothed for improved antithrombogenicity. The hemolytic property of the device was evaluated in vitro with heparinized fresh goat blood; hemolysis indexes of the NCVC-0, -1, and -2 were 0.05, 0.01, and 0.006 g per 100 L, respectively. Antithrombogenicity of the pumps was examined in animal experiments as a left heart bypass device in goals weighing 52-75 kg. Six NCVC-0 pumps were driven for 14 to 33 (22.0 +/- 7.6) days in goats receiving the antiplatelet drug cilostazol orally. Four NCVC-1 pumps ran for 1 to 80 (28.5 +/- 30.6) days with the same drug regimen in 2 cases and with no anticoagulation therapy in 2 cases. After 3 preliminary 1-week tests of NCVC-2 pumps in animals, the pump was installed in 3 goats; 2 pumps were still running on the 182nd and 58th pumping day. Intracorporeal implantation also was attempted successfully. The results indicate that this pump has promising features for chronic support although longer term and additional evaluations are necessary.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Relationship between pump speed design and hemolysis in an axial flow blood pump.

In an attempt to reduce the hemolysis caused by axial flow blood pumps, we investigated whether the specific speed should be kept within the standard engineering range or whether pump speed should be minimized, thus making the specific speed beyond the standard range. Four pumps with 11.8 mm diameter impellers were designed to accommodate a flow of 5 L/min and a head of 100 mm Hg. The pumps were tested at 4 speeds: A, 14,000; B, 18,000; C, 22,000; and D, 26,000 rpm. Pump performance data were obtained, and the maximum point of total pump efficiency was found for each pump. The maximum efficiencies were A, 50%; B, 58%; C, 52%; and D, 53%. The specific speed of each pump recorded at the maximum efficiency point was calculated as A, 899; B, 954; C, 1,218; and D, 1,951 rpm. Hemolytic tests were performed with fresh goat blood in a closed, mock-loop circuit. Hemolytic indexes were A, 0.036; B, 0.22; C, 0.35; and D, 0.66. We have concluded that decreased hemolysis is correlated with a lower pump speed and that the specific speed for the lowest pump speed is less than the standard range. Having a specific speed outside the standard range was not correlated with reduced total pump efficiency.

Blood Flow Velocity↗