Flow Visualization Measurement of Velocity Profiles in the Impeller/Housing Gap of a Centrifugal Blood Pump

A flow visualization study of a centrifugal blood pump was conducted to find velocity profiles in the gap between the impeller and the housing. Investigating a wide range of Reynolds numbers and specific speeds, it was found that high shear is found only in the boundary layers of the moving and stationary walls and that the total thickness of the boundary layers is 0. 3-0. 6mm depending the Reynolds number.