We will develop a new type of biological fluids pump (BFP) that has no shaft seals or valves in the conventional sense. It is electronically controlled and can produce variable flow during a single cycle. The pump could, for example, simulate the output of a heart ventricle. Because of this control, pump output can be altered rapidly or placed in a 'free wheel' mode where the pump appears to not exist. Thus, it could act as an assist device in operating only when needed. The BFP should find application for more than blood pumping. A miniature version of the pump could be implanted and used for drug delivery, or could be used in place of current peristaltic or roller pumps for many applications, including the pumping of cells in cell culture chemostats.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The rat-race biological fluids pump can be made seal-less and thus suitable for pumping fluids that must remain sterile. Applications include blood and cell culture pumping.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
