The next generation Baylor C-Gyro Pump: antithrombogenic "free impeller" design for long-term centrifugal VAD.

The new generation centrifugal blood pump, the C2 Gyro Pump "Free Impeller Model" specifically designed for long-term ventricular assistance and a bridge to transplantation, has been developed. In the free impeller design, the impeller was completely freed from mechanical tethers by eliminating the shaft. This unique design allowed the incorporation of a center-penetrating hole in the impeller, called the center conduit, which accelerates the secondary blood flow from the bottom to the top of the impeller. During in vitro performance tests, two characteristic impeller motions, called floating mode and wandering rotational axis, were observed. In the floating mode, the impeller seemed to be floating without touching the pump casing and resulted in the idea of no bearing contact. Also, the rotational axis of the impeller exhibited a small circular motion and illustrated the idea of no stationary area in the blood path. These three characteristics are expected to be advantageous for anti-thrombogenicity and low hemolysis which are essential for a long-term centrifugal VAD.