Roller and Centrifugal Blood Pumps
This course is designed for aspiring equipment technicians to master the principles and practical applications of blood pumps central to advanced life support. It covers the fundamental physics of fluid dynamics as applied to pump design, differentiating between volumetric displacement and non-occlusive kinetic principles. Students will learn about various drive mechanisms, safety interlocks, and alarm systems, alongside advanced techniques for calibration, performance verification, and preventive maintenance. Emphasis is placed on identifying common operational issues, performing systematic troubleshooting, and executing appropriate repairs in a clinical context. Through lectures, simulations, and extensive hands-on laboratory exercises, students will gain proficiency in ensuring pump readiness and mitigating risks associated with their use.
InstructorJacob CalhounPrerequisites
Course outline
Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.
Syllabus
["Week 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to Blood Pumps in Cardiopulmonary Bypass and ECMO","Week 2: Lesson 2: Principles of Fluid Dynamics and Biocompatibility in Blood Pumping","Week 3: Lesson 3: Roller Pump Mechanics: Design, Operation, and Control Systems","Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Roller Pump Assembly, Calibration, and Occlusion Setting","Week 5: Lesson 5: Centrifugal Pump Mechanics: Design, Operation, and Flow Dynamics","Week 6: Lesson 6: Drive Consoles and Control Interfaces: Features and Integration","Week 7: Lesson 7: Safety Features, Alarms, and Interlocks Across Pump Platforms","Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Centrifugal Pump Performance Testing & Midterm Review","Week 9: Lesson 9: Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques for Blood Pump Systems","Week 10: Lesson 10: Preventive Maintenance Schedules and Best Practices","Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Advanced Blood Pump System Diagnostics and Repair","Week 12: Lesson 12: Documentation, Regulatory Compliance, and Quality Assurance","Week 13: Lesson 13: Emerging Technologies and Future Trends in Blood Pumping","Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Blood Pump System Overhaul and Validation"]