A new method of biventricular assistance using a single skeletal muscle- powered ventricle (preliminary study)

The purpose of this study is to seek a new method of biventricular assistance using skeletal muscles. A single skeletal muscle-powered ventricle (SMPV) which counterpulsates systemic circulation, will be placed at the position beside the right ventricle. Since the SMPV dilates passively during the cardiac systolic phase, it is designed to press the right ventricle directly from outside and assist its contraction. This paper is a preliminary report and only the ability of the SMPV to assist the right ventricular contraction was assessed. In the cardiac systolic phase, the SMPV dilated passively with the pressure of 84mmHg and 0.8cm outwardly. From these results, it can be speculated that the SMPV which counterpulsates systemic circulation, has enough power to press and assist the right ventricle. Now the second phase of the study is ongoing with the SMPV placed at the position beside the right ventricle.