[Artificial hearts--toward future technologies].

Abstract

What are the most essential technologies for developing the implantable artificial heart in future? The first is the development of autonomic and dispersed micro actuators for acting as sarcomeres of the heart muscle. An electric motor driven artificial heart transmitted the power with belts had been developed as a preliminary mechanism. A micro actuation using noise energy has been developed for simulating the structure and the function of striate-muscle sarcomeres. The chemical energy conversion mechanism must be applied instead of the conventional electro-mechanical mechanisms, when we implant the total artificial heart permanently. As a implantable assisted artificial heart using tentatively, we have developed an axial flow pump system. The pump system acts as a systemic and a pulmonary pump produced pulsatile flow switching an axial pump output. The second is the search of biocompatible materials, which do not only mean blood compatibility but also tissue compatibility. The great masses in chest cavity have inevitably occurred infection. The autonomic and dispersed control system is the third item. We have developed a jellyfish valve with low fluid dynamical resistances for improving the pump dynamic characteristics.