MINIMUM POWER CONSUMPTION OF THE ELECTRIC VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE THROUGH THE DESIGN OF AN OPTIMAL OUTPUT CONTROLLER.

The paper describes the implementation of a position feedback optimal controller that drives the pusher plate through its desired stroke while minimizing electric power consumption. Summarized is the theoretic aspects of the controller design and in this context the minimum power consumption problem is formulated and the position feedback optimal controller is derived. Also described is the controller implementation on the Penn State mock circulatory system. Results are presented of mock loop tests. Finally, the authors compare the performance of the new position feedback controller with that of the traditional triangular velocity profile controller reported by K. L. Hanson.