Design and evaluation of ventricles for the AEC artificial heart nuclear power source

Generally, the results obtained are considered quite encouraging. The performance obtained is close to design values and it is believed some modification will yield the desired results. The loss of performance can be attributed to 3 insufficiencies: (1) the ventricle dome is too compliant during the systolic portion of the cycle, having the effect of leaving additional fluid in the pump chamber and reducing available filling volume and consuming power unnecessarily, (2) the ventricle domes are too stiff during the filling (diastolic) portion of the cycle and have the effect of over-filling the heart at low inflow pressures producing more cardiac output than desired. A very flexible but nondistensible ventricle dome is required, and (3) regurgitation and back flow through the closed valves also accounts for a significant reduction in performance and excess power consumption. (auth)