Statistical Model to Predict Static Magnetic Forces Due to Rotor Eccentricity in a Hemocompatibility Assessment Platform

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used to treat patients with heart failure. Despite clinical success, designing a long-term implantable LVAD remains a challenge. We proposed a hemocompatibility assessment platform (HAP) to identify blood trauma contribution from individual LVAD components. A HAP would help in refining pump components through iterative testing before in vivo testing, thereby preserving animal life and reducing development time and cost. So the HAP does not confound data, it uses an enlarged gap drive motor coupled to a magnetic levitation (maglev) bearing. Characterization of the radial force generated by rotor eccentricity in the drive motor gap is essential for maglev development. Therefore, in this study we characterized the radial forces produced due to rotor eccentricity for 9 rotor geometries using numerical and experimental methods. Since most experimental test systems have physical limitations, a method that can overcome those limitations to provide accurate results is valuable. We established a design method wherein empirical static forces are used to derive a statistical model to predict static force generated by motor eccentricity. The statistical model was then validated numerically. This statistical model can facilitate future motor analysis for HAP.