Objective To provide a ventricular assist device for patients with heart failure, Fu Wai （FW） axial blood pump was developed for partly or totally to assist the left ventricular function. Vitro hemolysis and animals tests were also employed to test the hydromechanics and hemocompatibility of the FW left ventricular assist devices developed in Fu Wai hospital. Methods Using vitro test loop, FW axial blood pump has been used to evaluate the performance of hemolysis， the pump has also been tested for hemolysis characteristic through five sheep experiments. Results At 8 400 r/min, the pump generates 5 L/min flow against 100 mm Hg, the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) was0.17±0.06 mg/L. The plasma free hemoglobin of in vivo tests was around 30 mg/dl. Conclusion The results obtained in vitro and in vivo testing indicate an acceptable design for the blood pump, further in vivo tests will be performed before clinical use.
