The CardiacKids proposed to implement a sensor to detect, at minimum, the end-diastole position of a pediatric pulsatile ventricular assist device (PVAD). Current PVAD designs possessed no means to detect stoke volume, although a sensor existed for adult ventricular assist devices (VADs).Yet, the adult VAD sensor was inappropriate for use with the pediatric VAD for two main reasons. Thus, Penn State Hershey Medical Center designated the development of a pediatric version as an important one.

With a useable sensor, useful data can be procured to better the patient experience and improve the performance of the device. An improved design to deter cavitations can be made by ensuring there is no residual blood left in the sac. The proposed sensor for the PVAD should detect when the pump is in end-diastolic in order to achieve this goal, as specified by Dr. Weiss. However, the CardiacKids hoped also to determine end-systole position as well. A duel approach, using an optical sensor and a contact sensor, was taken to fulfill the task.

In order to test the effectiveness of both sensors, appropriate flow loops were implemented. The contact sensor was placed inside the air side of the PVAD with the connecting wires exiting the driveline of the device. Using an existing mock cardiovascular flow loop in the Penn State Bioengineering department, the contact sensor was tested at actual conditions. To test the optical sensor, blood was obtained and placed in a constructed flow loop. By using an air filled syringe attached to the driveline to properly pulse the pump, the optical sensors were put into place.

The results of this testing verified that the team was able to meet the design goals set forth by the project sponsor. By combining the contact and optical sensors for use with the PVAD, both end-systole and end-diastole can be detected. This not only meets the minimum requirements but surpasses the expectations by providing both terminus points of the cycle.