A high performance bidirectional micropump for a novel artificial sphincter system

We present the design, fabrication and testing of a novel medical implant based on a high performance silicon micropump. An analytical model was exploited for further optimization of our micropump design. The experimental data obtained are in a good accordance to theory. The limits of the analytical model are discussed and numerical studies are performed to examine the pressure loss over the valves of the micropump in detail. The presented micropump shows a flow rate of 1.8 ml/min and can build up and maintain backpressures up to 60 kPa. The overall size of the micropump is 30 mm x 11 nim x 1 mm. The driver electronics for the piezoelectric actuators is explained and the energy consumption is estimated. Two sphincter prosthesises of different sizes were developed and tested. The general medical capability as a prosthesis has been proven. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.