Q-PULS, a new quasi-physiological pulsatile extracorporeal model to simulate heart function

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Developing new surgical procedures necessitates robust pre-clinical testing.
• Animal models are crucial for evaluating surgical techniques and devices.
• Assessing cardiac function and valve repair requires dynamic, physiological simulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a computer-controlled extracorporeal circulation system for testing explanted porcine hearts.
• To simulate physiological parameters for evaluating surgical procedures, particularly mitral valve repair.
• To enable early-stage modification of surgical techniques and instruments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a computer-controlled extracorporeal circulation system with a linear motor-driven piston pump.
• Simulated cardiac systole and diastole, controlling atrial filling, loading pressure, and flow rates.
• Employed processor control for adjustable flow rate, velocity, and heart rhythm, with USB-probe camera visualization.

Main Results:

• Achieved pumping volumes of 150 ml at up to 73 bpm, with cardiac outputs up to 10.9 L/min.
• Enabled quantitative verification of mitral valve repair quality under beating-heart conditions.
• Facilitated continuous visualization and pressure gradient measurements before and after induced valve insufficiency and repair.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides controllable pulsation and loading/unloading of porcine hearts.
• Allows for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of leaflet function and surgical repair outcomes.
• Offers a quasiphysiological platform for advancing surgical techniques and device development.