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Heart chamber simulator with electronic accelerated heart valve wear and fatigue test apparatus and method

  • US 5,176,153 A
  • Filed: 11/02/1990
  • Issued: 01/05/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An in vitro tester for fluid valves used as replacements in the human heart comprising:

  • means to mount in vitro a human heart replacement valve;

    a fluid source providing a means fluid pressure and fluid flow;

    fluid conductors to connect said fluid source to said heart valve for pulsed actuation of said heart valve; and

    a pressure generator to apply a periodic pulsed pressure to said fluid to cause said pulsed actuation;

    said pressure generator including;

    a diaphragm in contact with said fluid;

    a coil secured to said diaphragm;

    means to generate a first magnetic field about said coil; and

    means to selectively apply a plurality of different types of signals to cause current flow through said coil of said pressure generator;

    said current flow generating an electromagnetic field which interacts with said first magnetic field to move said diaphragm against said fluid to provide pressure pulses to said fluid in response to said current flow causing actuation of said heart valve responsive to said current flow;

    whereby variable control of actuation of said human heart replacement valves can be provided in vitro to more closely simulate various heart pumping actions, including abnormal conditions and accelerated pumping action.

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