Abstract. Since 1991, the Foundation for Cardiac Surgery Development in Zabrze has been implementing research on the artificial heart. In 1995, an artificial ventricle, POLVAD, was implanted to a patient, and in 1998, the prototype of a clinical controller, POLPDU-401, was created. A further development of the studies on an implantable artificial heart requires an integrated approach and an application of advanced methods of materials sciences in order to develop new materials suitable for the contact with blood, as well as to apply a multilateral biomedical diagnostics in hydrodynamic conditions.The estimation of the cell-material interaction plays an important role in the biomaterial design. An analysis of the influence of the carbon content in titanium nitride on the biological and biophysical properties of biomaterial coatings was studied. The cell-material reactions were considered in dynamic and static conditions. Three groups of materials were under examinations -titanium nitride (TiN), as well as titanium carbonitride with a low and high carbon content -of which the best properties were observed for TiN. We found a strong influence of the stoichiometry of TiN (atomic ratio of Ti/N) on the biocompatibility. A non-stoichiometric TiN could have a negative influence on the surrounding tissue.

(1) Background: The evaluation of ventricular assist devices requires the usage of biocompatible and chemically stable materials. The commonly used polyurethanes are characterized by versatile properties making them well suited for heart prostheses applications, but simultaneously they show low stability in biological environments. (2) Methods: An innovative material-copolymer of poly(ethylene-terephthalate) and dimer linoleic acid—with controlled and reproducible physico-mechanical and biological properties was developed for medical applications. Biocompatibility (cytotoxicity, surface thrombogenicity, hemolysis, and biodegradation) were evaluated. All results were compared to medical grade polyurethane currently used in the extracorporeal heart prostheses. (3) Results: No cytotoxicity was observed and no significant decrease of cells density as well as no cells growth reduction was noticed. Thrombogenicity analysis showed that the investigated copolymers have the thrombogenicity potential similar to medical grade polyurethane. No hemolysis was observed (the hemolytic index was under 2% according to ASTM 756-00 standard). These new materials revealed excellent chemical stability in simulated body fluid during 180 days aging. (4) Conclusions: The biodegradation analysis showed no changes in chemical structure, molecular weight distribution, good thermal stability, and no changes in surface morphology. Investigated copolymers revealed excellent biocompatibility and great potential as materials for blood contacting devices.

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The following paper introduces the problem of noninvasive pressure measurements in Polish artificial heart prosthesis. The pressure sensor is proposed and introduced, and preliminary tests are shown. The paper deals with the proposed sensing elements, requirement noninvasive solution and preliminary tests of polyurethane membrane transmission. The paper includes also experimental results of a fiber pressure sensor introducing noninvasive pressure measurements with pressure transmission through a polyurethane tube wall.

Abstract. The following paper presents researches concerning a noninvasive real-time blood volume measurement system applied in POLVAD prosthesis. The system is based on the acoustic Helmholtz resonator principle. The basis of the measurement method, followed by the preliminary tests of the possibility of incorporating the Helmholtz resonance idea into the POLVAD prosthesis is shown. The paper includes the actual measurement system construction and test results, both static and dynamic obtained at the Foundation for Cardiac Surgery Development in Zabrze, Poland. Conclusions and future plans are presented too.