Heart Failure and the Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

Archimedes' Screw

The Archimedes' Screw was developed in ancient Egypt to move water from a lower level to an upper level.  The Archimedes' Screw is composed of a spiral fitted inside a cylinder that is open on either end.  As the device turns water is slowly raised in wells formed by the side of the cylinder and the surface of the spiral. [24] One version of an LVAD functions with similar device mechanics. ©MedicEd®.com, Inc.