A Study of Magnetic Fluid Seals for Blood Sealing

Magnetic fluid seals are used in a wide variety of gas and dust sealing applications. However, it is difficult to seal for liquid because of its characteristic. This study will be a basic guide for a magnetic fluid seal for liquid, especially for blood to be practically used in medical instruments such as rotary blood pumps by clarifying its seal properties. Sealing pressure test, durability test, and hemolysis test have been conducted for this seal. In this study, magnetic fluid, sealing fluid, eccentricity ratio, revolution speed were selected as parameters. As results of the tests, it has been found that the properties of magnetic fluid seal depend on the solvent and the saturation magnetization of magnetic fluid. Therefore, the selection of magnetic fluid is important for this seal. It also has been found that eccentricity ratio of the shaft caused harmful effect for seal properties. In conclusion, it has been showed that magnetic fluid seals could be possibly used in medical instruments such as blood pumps when blood come in contact with magnetic fluids.