Japanese Experience with Ventricular Assist Devices

Fundamental and applied studies, recently and currently being done in Japan, in regard of the department of ventricular assist devices are briefly summarized from the engineering standpoint. Present status of the development of blood pumps and their materials, design of control drive systems for pneumatic drive and permanently implantable, electromechanical actuators, and fundamental studies of the effects of ventricular assist on the hemodynamics and cardiac mechanics are described. Clinical cases of the application of ventricular assist devices are also documented.