Session: 04-11-01 Posters

Paper Number: 195136

195136 - Development of an Open-Source 3d-Printed Pulse Duplicator for Prosthetic Heart Valve Testing 

Abstract: 

A pulse duplicator is essential for prosthetic heart valve testing and in vitro flow measurements in cardiovascular biofluids research. Although similar devices, such as pulsatile blood pumps (e.g., the Harvard Apparatus 1423), are commonly available in many biofluids laboratories, they offer limited control of back pressure within a flow loop during heart valve testing. Commercial pulse duplicators are also not widely accessible, and no open-source option currently exists, limiting broader investigation of prosthetic heart valve performance. To address this gap, this study presents the design and implementation of a 3D-printed pulse duplicator. The device can be integrated with existing pulsatile pumps to generate realistic back pressure for heart valve testing. It can also be implemented with a piston pump for customer control of the flow waveform. Compliance chambers can be installed at various locations to ensure vessel compliance. Using clear resin printing, optical windows can be added for flow and leaflet visualization. In addition, the 3D-printed components can be easily exchanged to accommodate custom-designed heart valves. We tested this with our in-house-designed heart valve and demonstrated that it can generate the correct back pressure and flow rate. Finally, we plan to release the design as an open-source platform for use and further development by other research groups in the near future. 

Presenting Author: Zhongwang Dou Rochester Institute of Technology

Presenting Author Biography: 

Authors:

Zhongwang Dou Rochester Institute of Technology