Project number
27061
Organization
ACABI
Offering
ENGR498-F2026-S2027
Project Goal/Summary: Design and build CELLBOMB, a benchtop laboratory instrument exposing blood or blood constituents to independently controlled rotational/propulsive shear and positive or negative pressure (vacuum) representative of continuous-flow mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The platform will enable controlled study of red-cell hemolysis and platelet activation and provide a basis for standardized blood-pump testing.
Project Background: Temporary and permanently implantable MCS devices commonly use high-speed rotary impellers. Blood passing through these pumps experiences substantial shear together with regions of positive pressure and negative pressure/vacuum. Shear-induced blood damage is well studied; the independent and combined effects of pressure/vacuum + shear are less well characterized. CELLBOMB will provide a reproducible platform for separating and systematically varying these stresses.
Requirements:
• Step 1 – Define the MCS operating space. Establish representative ranges of impeller speed, fluid shear, positive pressure, negative pressure/vacuum and exposure time. Define target test conditions before fabrication.
• Step 2 – Engineer the CELLBOMB pressure vessel. Design a transparent cylindrical chamber with removable sealed end caps, gaskets, sampling/access ports and axial bearings. Perform pressure/vacuum and structural safety analysis before testing; use containment and approved laboratory safety procedures.
• Step 3 – Build three CELLBOMB platforms. A) Demonstration Bomb: ~2–3 in diameter × ~12 in, visualization/engineering demonstration only – NO BIOLOGIC FLUIDS. B) Experimental Bomb: ~25 mL with a custom 3D-printed impeller. C) MCS Bomb: ~10–12 mL incorporating an actual Abiomed/J&J blood-pump impeller.
• Step 4 – Build the magnetic impeller drive. Develop an external electromagnetic/inductive drive acting on embedded impeller magnets, avoiding a rotating shaft penetration. Measure/control RPM while preserving chamber sealing.
• Step 5 – Characterize shear + pressure/vacuum. Measure pressure/vacuum, impeller speed and, where feasible, flow and temperature. Use analytical methods and/or CFD to define flow patterns, shear-stress distribution and exposure.
• Step 6 – Integrate controller + GUI. Develop one controller/interface for all three chambers. Set/display RPM, pressure/vacuum and exposure time; log sensor outputs and experimental conditions; include safety limits, alarms and emergency shutdown.
• Step 7 – Validate + perform biologic testing. Validate first with water/saline or appropriate non-biologic fluids. If time, approvals and resources permit, test blood/blood constituents across defined shear × pressure × time conditions. Primary biologic endpoints: hemolysis/red-cell damage and platelet activation.
Project Background: Temporary and permanently implantable MCS devices commonly use high-speed rotary impellers. Blood passing through these pumps experiences substantial shear together with regions of positive pressure and negative pressure/vacuum. Shear-induced blood damage is well studied; the independent and combined effects of pressure/vacuum + shear are less well characterized. CELLBOMB will provide a reproducible platform for separating and systematically varying these stresses.
Requirements:
• Step 1 – Define the MCS operating space. Establish representative ranges of impeller speed, fluid shear, positive pressure, negative pressure/vacuum and exposure time. Define target test conditions before fabrication.
• Step 2 – Engineer the CELLBOMB pressure vessel. Design a transparent cylindrical chamber with removable sealed end caps, gaskets, sampling/access ports and axial bearings. Perform pressure/vacuum and structural safety analysis before testing; use containment and approved laboratory safety procedures.
• Step 3 – Build three CELLBOMB platforms. A) Demonstration Bomb: ~2–3 in diameter × ~12 in, visualization/engineering demonstration only – NO BIOLOGIC FLUIDS. B) Experimental Bomb: ~25 mL with a custom 3D-printed impeller. C) MCS Bomb: ~10–12 mL incorporating an actual Abiomed/J&J blood-pump impeller.
• Step 4 – Build the magnetic impeller drive. Develop an external electromagnetic/inductive drive acting on embedded impeller magnets, avoiding a rotating shaft penetration. Measure/control RPM while preserving chamber sealing.
• Step 5 – Characterize shear + pressure/vacuum. Measure pressure/vacuum, impeller speed and, where feasible, flow and temperature. Use analytical methods and/or CFD to define flow patterns, shear-stress distribution and exposure.
• Step 6 – Integrate controller + GUI. Develop one controller/interface for all three chambers. Set/display RPM, pressure/vacuum and exposure time; log sensor outputs and experimental conditions; include safety limits, alarms and emergency shutdown.
• Step 7 – Validate + perform biologic testing. Validate first with water/saline or appropriate non-biologic fluids. If time, approvals and resources permit, test blood/blood constituents across defined shear × pressure × time conditions. Primary biologic endpoints: hemolysis/red-cell damage and platelet activation.