Patent ID: 9569985
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: G09B,Y10T

Claim:
1. An apparatus for simulation of an anatomical structure, the apparatus comprising: a left ventricle component having an inlet port configured to receive fluid flow therethrough; an aortic arch component having an outlet port configured to receive fluid flow therethrough; an aortic annulus component attached to and disposed between the left ventricle component and the aortic arch component, the aortic annulus component having an inner surface including simulated stenotic nodules, wherein the left ventricle component, the aortic annulus component, and the aortic arch component are portions of a cardiovascular structure; a lining comprising tissue of an animal overlying an inner surface of an outer wall of the cardiovascular structure; an introducer configured to receive an elongated catheter assembly therethrough, the introducer being in fluid communication with at least one of the left ventricle component and the aortic arch component; and a liquid pumping system in fluid communication with the inlet port of the left ventricle component and the outlet port of the aortic arch component, the liquid pumping system configured to provide high pressure liquid pulses into the inlet port of the left ventricle component and a back pressure into the outlet port of the aortic arch component, the back pressure being less than the high pressure pulses, wherein the liquid pumping system is a partially-closed recirculating liquid flow system including a vertically-oriented low-pressure chamber, an open liquid tank having a substantially constant pressure, a high-pressure chamber comprising a compliant tube, and a gas pulse generator.