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This is often called a Pulse duplicator and is a machine for testing artificial heart valves intended for implantation in the aortic and/or mitral position. It generates a pulsatile flow of a mixture (usually water-glycerol to provide equivalent viscosity, density, and Reynolds number to blood) through a model of the heart with the internal chambers created from a cast of a cadaver heart. Such devices may be used to visualize the flow patterns with different types of valve, often employing high- speed photography to track the movement of small particles suspended in the fluid. Pressures at various points in the system may be measured as well.
Pulse duplicators would be found in research laboratories to investigate the performance of valves during development or assessment of commercially available devices.
Content and Design Copyright 2000 Dr. Malcolm C Brown. See Title Page for more details