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Pulsatile flow system for developing heart valves

  • US 5,899,937 A
  • Filed: 03/05/1997
  • Issued: 05/04/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for subjecting implant heart tissue to a physiologic pulsatile flow, comprising:

  • a piston-type pump;

    a flexible elastomeric bladder containing a fluid that is mounted inside of a fluid-filled chamber, the pump serving to displace the fluid within the chamber so as to simulate a pulsatile flow within the bladder and to shield the fluid within the bladder from contamination by the pump, wherein the fluid within the bladder is a blood-analog suitable for providing living cells in heart tissue with nutrients;

    a fluid conduit leading from the bladder to a test section adapted to contain at least one aortic valve sample containing living cells;

    a fluid conduit leading from the test section to a downstream compliance and resistance element;

    a gas exchanger in communication with the blood-analog fluid for providing the at least one aortic valve with proper levels of gases;

    a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the blood-analog fluid; and

    a fluid conduit leading from the compliance and resistance element to the bladder;

    wherein the apparatus provides pulsatile flows from a range of pressure regimes and fluid flow regimes.

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