In vitro evaluation of an axial flow pump: mock-pump interaction and an approach to control.

Continuous flow pump support has emerged as an alternative therapy in patients with congestive heart failure. For long-term applications, it is important to have a control system that changes the pump function according to the physiological conditions of the patient, thereby preventing risk situations. In the early stages of development, the evaluation of control algorithms for artificial blood pumps can be done in vitro using cardiovascular mock systems.