A new method of producing pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass using a standard roller pump

A new method for producing pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass is described. The method requires only the addition of a dilated segment in the tubing which passes beneath the arc of a standard roller pump. Preliminary studies demonstrate that pulsatile flow and pressure with physiologic contours can be produced by this "bubble tube" system. Furthermore, the new tubing causes less hemolysis than standard pump tubing.