Mapping of pump efficiency on the pressure-flow curve of a centrifugal blood pump.

Because pump efficiency is closely related to heat generation and blood trauma in a centrifugal blood pump, it is quite important to study pump efficiencies in a variety of conditions. In the present study, pump efficiencies were mapped on the pressure head-flow rate curves of 4 different pumps; BioMedicus BioPump (BP-80), Nikkiso (NK), Gyro C1E3, and Gyro PI601 (diameter of the impeller, NK: 50 mm, C1Ee3: 65 mm, and PI601: 50 mm). The mapping of pump efficiency revealed the following findings. First, the cone type (BP-80) has less pump efficiency than the impeller type (NK and C1E3); second, the miniaturization of the C1E3 to the PI601 has resulted in an increase in pump efficiency; and third, the diameter of the impeller may contribute to the pump efficiency of an im peller type pump. The mapping of the pump efficiency, as demonstrated in this study, is useful for the analysis of hydraulic pump performance in a wide range of clinically applied conditions.