Interbeat control of a ventricular assist device for variable pump performance.

Pump performance is very important property in rotary blood pumps. Suitable pump performance often creates suitable blood flow regulation in long-term circulatory support. However, it is difficult to develop the blood pump with specific pump performance. In addition, optimal pump performance is still unknown. In this study, we have proposed a control method to implement variable pump performance in a single pump and evaluated the validity of the control method using computer simulation. The controller controls the dynamic change in the relationship between pump pressure head and flow rate by interbeat control. A repetitive control method was adopted in order to reduce cyclic error derived from the heartbeat. Simulation results indicate the possibility that the proposed controller can regulate so that the dynamic relationship between pressure head and pump flow is that of various type centrifugal pump.