Development of a Linear Electromagnetic Actuator for Implantable Artifical Heart

This paper deals with the configuration, principle of operation, and experimental results concerning a linear pulse motor for an implantable aritificial heart. The linear pulse motor is designed to be as small as possible so as to minimize the space occupied. The mover is made of laminated Permendur sheets 0.35 mm in thickness. The stators are of the same material in orer to maintain a high saturation flux density. the motor develops a thrust of 60 Newtons with an input power of 2.72 Watts. The mass and volume of the motor are 320 g and 56.6 ml. The characteristic values (figures of merit) of the motor are 22.1 N/W, 1.1 N/ml and 0.19 N/g; these values are two to ten times superior to those of ordinary linear pulse motors, because of the use of Permendur sheets and rare-earth magnets (Sm2Co17).