Simulation of blood flow by a hydrodynamic generator.

Physiological flows are produced by a volumetric gear pump. The motor-pump group is controlled by an amplifying comparator, and produces a flow whose rate follows the control signal. This signal is delivered by a synthetizing generator and its shape, amplitude, and frequency are adjustable. This hydrodynamic generator supplies a test bench on which the modifications of flow patterns induced by models of vascular stenoses are studied. The study of the velocity distribution has been effected with a pulsed-Doppler ultrasonic velocimeter.