Drive control of linear pulse motor for artificial heart

This paper describes the static and kinetic thrust characteristics of a linear pulse motor (LPM) with feedback control for a total artificial heart (TAH). The TAH using the LPM has advantages of simpler transmission mechanisms and fewer components than the ordinary rotary motor-driven TAH, because the LPM is capable of directly driving the reciprocating pusher plates. As a result of an acute animal experiment using the LPM without feedback control, a more powerful LPM has been required for TAH. In general, the kinetic thrust of a LPM without feedback control decreases as increasing the mover velocity. Therefore, the LPM with feedback control is developed to improve the kinetic thrust characteristics. The displacement of the LPM´s mover is detected by four magneto-resistive (MR) elements is fed back to the servo-driver. The kinetic thrust characteristics of the LPM with feedback control are improved as compared with the LPM without feedback control.