[A hardware-in-the-loop simulation model of the cardiovascular system for ventricular assist device evaluation]

This paper presents a novel technique for evaluating the performance of ventricular assist devices in vitro, innovatively combining dynamic physical testing of assist devices with a mature, numerical human cardiovascular model. Based on this technique, one self-made direct mechanical ventricular assistance (DMVA) prototype is tested. With the true representation of device performance in vivo, the real-time interactions between DMVA and the cardiovascular system are captured and studied. Hemodynamic simulations under DMVA are performed. Experimental results demonstrate that it provides a useful tool for the study of device assist impact on the cardiovascular system as well as the improvement of device structure and effectiveness of control mechanism.