This paper presents the results of experimental performance of an innovative left ventricular assist device working on a specially designed test stand. The introduced invention is mainly applied for supporting the heart in patients with end-stage heart failure accompanied by mitral valve regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension. Moreover, the developed device has the form of a flexible balloon forming an intracardiac inert gas-filled...

This paper presents the operation of an innovative left ventricular assist device under various resistances and operating frequencies. The operating principle of the device is based on pulsatile blood flow, which is forced by a suction–discharge device pumping helium into a set of intra-cardiac balloons. In this way, the ejection fraction of the left ventricle is increased, and the mitral valve is additionally occluded. What is...

Laminates - layered composites containing at least two elements (matrix and reinforcement) widely used in industry have also found their usage in medicine. Their main feature is the ability to modify the material in order to obtain the required properties. Depending on the needs, we can modify reinforcement, type of resin or the method of bonding substrates. Commonly used fibers are: carbon fiber, glass and aramid fibers; resins...

This paper presents the results of a study on the effect of vascular lumen reduction on the performance of an innovative implantable LVAD (left ventricular assist device). It details the pressures in the individual cardiac chambers as a function of device frequency. In addition, mass flow rates and energy consumption of the device are examined, varying with lumen reduction and operating frequency. While the lumen reduction of the...

This paper presents conclusions from the last development phase of the “Voice Maps” project. Authors specify newly found available options for navigation in affordable system for the blind with all their related aspects. System uses dedicated geographical data, built-in smartphone GPS receivers and DGPS external device in order to assist blind users in their everyday travelling. Authors also discuss new methods to improve positioning...