A test apparatus provides pulsatile flows that replicate the human cardiovascular system for qualifying implantable cardiovascular devices before implantation in a patient. A pump provides flow pulses to a mock left ventricle, a mock aortic valve, and a mock aorta. A loop from the ventricle to the aorta bypasses the mock aortic valve and affords connection of the test device. The mock aorta comprises elastic tube sections serially connected in progressively diminishing diameters, and interconnected by adjustable flow restrictors. Each elastic tube section shows about 7% to 12% inside-diameter expansion for 100 mm mercury step increase. A designer's choice over the elasticity of the tube sections and a user's control over the flow restrictor(s) allows the user to shape various target waveforms in regards of flowrate and pressure against time as well as the peaks and drop-off forms in addition.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION(S)
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/406,282, filed Aug. 27, 2002, which provisional application is incorporated herein in full by this reference.
This application is concurrently filed with commonly-invented, commonly-owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/650,088 [not yet known, to be inserted by applicant's attorney], entitled "Lost Candy Method with Cores or Molds, and Composition," and which is based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/405,887, filed Aug. 27, 2002, all the foregoing which are incorporated herein in full by this reference.
The blood pressure level in humans is a vital health parameter, yet the vast majority of people do not have a physical feeling for what normal and abnormal blood pressure levels mean in relation to the forces exerted on the heart and blood vessels. A blood pressure simulation apparatus is described which provides human subjects a means to physically feel simulated blood pressure levels through a tactile interface. Both normal and abnormal blood pressure cycles are simulated. Interfacing of the apparatus to an electronic blood pressure monitor is provided.
