A test apparatus provides pulsatile flows that replicate the human cardiovascular
system for qualifying implantable cardiovascular devices before implantation in
a patient. A pump provides flow pulses to a mock left ventricle, a mock aortic
valve, and a mock aorta. A loop from the ventricle to the aorta bypasses the mock
aortic valve and affords connection of the test device. The mock aorta comprises
elastic tube sections serially connected in progressively diminishing diameters,
and interconnected by adjustable flow restrictors. Each elastic tube section shows
about 7% to 12% inside-diameter expansion for 100 mm mercury step increase. A designer's
choice over the elasticity of the tube sections and a user's control over the flow
restrictor(s) allows the user to shape various target waveforms in regards of flowrate
and pressure against time as well as the peaks and drop-off forms in addition.