Pulse duplicator

Many pulse duplicators model only half the heart, commonly the left atrium and ventricle, in order to test the mitral and aortic valves.

[1][6] The circulatory system blood vessels are typically modeled using tubing.

A pulse duplicator is a wave propagation model if it physically replicates the circulatory system in a more anatomically correct manner.

[2] A pulse duplicator is filled with a fluid with a similar viscosity and specific gravity compared to blood.

One such blood analog is a mixture of water, glycerol, and a small amount of sodium chloride.

A simplified diagram of a common pulse duplicator design.
A simplified diagram of one common pulse duplicator design. A piston is used to create and release pressure, simulating blood flow. Note that both valves would not be fully open at the same time in actual operation.