Tesla-Based Blood Pump and its Applications

A continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) that the Penn State University has developed utilizes Tesla turbomachinery technology. Tesla pumping technology patented by Nikola Tesla in the early 20^th century has multiple intriguing characteristics such as simpler manufacturing process, reduced turbulent-related stress, less cavitation due to viscous flow distribution over larger surface areas, and less hemolysis by smooth transition of fluid energy. We successfully tested the 1^st version of the Penn State Tesla LVAD [1, 2]. We recently tested the 2^nd version of the Tesla pump; to make the pump usable in a wide range of patients, the size of the pump was significantly reduced while trying to avoid any degradation of hemodynamic and hemolytic characteristics.