Hydraulic circuit mimicker of left ventricle ejection and pressure inside the aorta

Abstract

Ultrasonic Transit Time Flowmeters (TTFM) have been performing in the last decade as a promising tool for the quantification of coronary flow during bypass surgeries. For the calibration of this type of probe it is necessary the use of flow phantoms. This study proposes to develop a pump with some particular geometric characteristics, able to simulate the left ventricle ejection pattern. In addition it was made a hydraulic circuit to simulate the main mechanical characteristics of the human vascular system. With this model monitored in real time by a pressure transducer, it was possible to obtain pressure profiles similar to those found inside the aorta. The adjustment of the firing pattern of the pump and variables that control the system resistance and viscoelasticity allow the simulation of clinical situations, as well as the analysis of the effect of each variable alone in the pressure profile. Relying on the principle that the arrangement of blood vessels occurs in parallel, it is expected that the connection of pipes with diameter, length, resistive and viscoelastic properties similar to those of specific vessels, will induce flow patterns similar to those found in the human vascular network.