A brief review of bio-tribology in cardiovascular devices

Abstract

Progress in the field of cardiovascular devices has significantly contributed to the rapid advancements in cardiovascular disease therapy during the last fifty years. However, friction and wear occurring at cardiovascular devices may cause a failure of the implanted devices, or some serious complications, such as hemolysis, thrombus formation and so on. Tribology study in cardiovascular devices belongs to the research range of bio-tribology which deals with all aspects of tribology concerned with biological systems. In this paper, the study situation of bio-tribology at cardiovascular devices is briefly reviewed. First, typical tribological problems in various cardiovascular devices are analyzed. Then, the methods of anti-wear and anti-friction in cardiovascular devices are presented, and the research progress in the lubrication property of human blood is summarized. Last, some suggestions and prospects for future research are put forward.

Keywords

• Bio-tribology
• Cardiovascular device
• Ventricular assist device
• Artificial heart valves
• Vascular grafts
• Intravascular stents