How Does the LionHeart Work?
How Does the LionHeart Work?
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Implantable components of the LionHeart LVAS — combined, they weigh 3.2 pounds (1.3 kg).
The blood pump, connected to the native circulation via inlet and outlet cannulae, is electrically powered and implanted in the preperitoneal space, beneath the left costal margin. It features a motor, a pusher plate mechanism, a smooth blood sac, and two tilting disk valves for unidirectional flow.
The motor controller and internal coil control the operation of the blood pump. The pump and controller are powered by either external sources of rechargeable batteries located in the controller. External power is received transcutaneously by the coil and sent to the controller and pump for continuous operation. Internal power is delivered by the controller’s rechargeable batteries and allows the patient to function totally free of the external power source for about 20 minutes. The controller is placed under the anterior abdominal wall in the preperitoneal space, beneath the right costal margin. The coil is placed in the subcutaneous tissue of the chest wall.
The compliance chamber and access port serve as a gas-volume accumulator. The chamber provides gas to evacuated chambers of the blood pump during its operation. It is periodically charged via the access port with room air. The compliance chamber is placed in the left pleural space and access port passed through the intercostal space and located in the subcutaneous tissue over the left anterior chest wall.
Source: Arrow International Inc., 2400 Bernville Road, Reading, PA 19605. Telephone: (610) 378-0131.
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