The present paper presents the project and construction of a balloon-pump for aortic counterpulsation. Three experimental models were developed, the first two using hospital air and vacuum lines for inflation and deflation of the balloon catheter. These two inicial models diffères among themselves in the mechanism used to capture the light signal corresponding to the R wave of the ECG, which was used to sincronize the pumping. The solenoid valve and electronic components were of higher resolution in the second model. The third and present model recieves the R wave signal from the cardioversor adaptor of ECG monitor and the hospital vacuum and air lines along with the solenoid valve were substituted by an electromagnetic pump. The problems related to late deflation that have ocurred in the system are still in study. Emphasis is given on the importance of this research, which has incremented knowledge for the construction of other medical equipment, mainly in the area of respiratory care.
aortic balloon-pump; counterpulsation; assisted circulation