Centrifugal Pumps: Details, designs & mechanisms

 

 

Biomedicus 540 Bioconsole

Design

Internal motor drives a magnet which is isolated from the Bio-pump magnet by a clear plastic cover; external drive unit also available

Maximum revs & swept stroke

0 — 4500 RPM

Relationship of volume output per revolution unclear - is dependent on resistance (afterload)

Disposable pump heads

BP-80 (adult)

Prime: 80 ml

3 rotator cones

Max 10l/min

Uses electromagnetic flow probe

Capiox SP

Prime: 45ml

Max speed 3000 rpm

Max flow: 8L/min

Impeller blades

?Increased blood turbulence & temperatures but offset by reduced rpm required

Delphin 3M

Uses a doppler flow probe

Impeller pump (blades)

Small priming volume

Generates more Heat (as is small) - more blood trauma

Rev counters & flow indicators

Digital & LED bar display

Electromagnetic versus Doppler

Flow transducers

Observe Gain number; ensure flow probe is connected in correct flow position or will indicate negative flows

Electromagnetic flow meter: uses electromagnets to generate an electric field & small electrodes in direct contact with the blood to measure the induced voltage. The probe uses a disposable fluid path utilising a permanent component (housing the electromagnet) that clamps around a special tubing connector containing electrodes moulded into the connector to contact the blood

Note: Inaccurate <1000ml/min

Doppler (Delphin)

Indicators of ‘running hours’

Back panel near power inlet

Ventricular support

 

Manual crank mechanism

Provides manual power to Bio-console during AC or DC failures or during patient transportation; up to 5000 rpm

4 - 1 geared with rpm counter

 

 

Details of safety control devices

 

 

Biomedicus 540 Bioconsole

Resettable fuses

Power circuit breakers: [AC Power; 28V; Battery] located on tilting door within front panel

Slave control of pump by pressure & low level alarm

Audible only

Cannot have a stopping mechanism as will continue to have flow (backwards flow)

Runaway control alarms & protection

Not relevant

Pump direction safety switches

Backward flow indicator

Safety pump covers

Two control panels located on tilt down doors which may be closed during operation to eliminate visual clutter and protect from spills

 

High & low flow indicator status

 

Cannot turn off AC as will have back up DC

 

Details of preventative maintenance

 

 

Biomedicus 540 Bioconsole

Tubing occlusion Adjustment

 

Flow rate Calibration

 

Pump rotation

 

General pump operations

DC brushless motor requires minimal servicing

Overspeed detection

 

Lubrication

Prelubricated at factory; requires no further lubrication

Cable check

 

Fan Guard check

 

Leakage current

 

Battery check

Test by removing AC current and operating at full RPM - battery status indicator should remain green; batteries charge when running on AC current

 

Check alarm functioning

Battery tests

Pressure transducer validity

 

Problems associated with centrifugal pumps

 

1.                   Flow rate affected by preload & afterload

2.                   Retrograde flows down arterial line with associated potential air entrainment if inadequate RPM

3.                   Centrifugal pumps operate by creating pressure thus flow rates are dependent on patient pressure & resistance in the circuit

4.                   For forward flow to occur, the pressure in the pumphead (PP) must be greater than  the combined patient pressure (PPT) and the pressure head (PH) {hydrostatic pressure}.

5.                   Retrograde flow can create a ‘haemodynamic siphon’ which may result in exsanguination or air embolisation

6.                   PP > PPT + PH Þ forward flow

7.                   Ensure pump head is well seated - risk of whole pump head spinning & damaging outlet connector of pump head

 

Centrifugal vs Roller

Centrifugal Pump

1.        Popular for ECMO

2.        Cannot pump large quantities of air

3.        Allow blood propulsion without concern about the disastrous effects of undetected, inadvertent outflow or inflow occlusion of the pump

4.        Centrifugal pump stalls whenever occlusion occurs without generating high suction or outlet pressure

5.        Does not require a continuous perfusionist presence

6.        Haemolysis & other damage to formed blood elements is less to that encountered with roller pumps

7.        Decreased entrainment effect

8.        Reduced wear & tear on the system (pump head; high pressures)

Roller pump

1.        Inexpensive

2.        Predictable pump flow based on pump speed

3.        Can pump large quantities of air

4.        Potential to overpressurise circuit if inadvertently clamp/obstruct

5.        Failure of pump rare during prolonged extracorporeal use

a.        Note that maintenance is due on a pump after a prolonged trial of ECMO - a 7 day run = 144 average CABG cases

6.        Cumulative wear on the segments of plastic that lies under the roller head is the most frequent cause of failure

a.        Routinely feed pump head tubing along to distribute wear

b.       Mount 2 pumps in parallel

c.        Some prefer roller for ECMO

7.        Simpler design-less moving parts to malfunction

8.        Better-quicker response to servocontrol