Students are currently limited in the study of Hemodynamics due to the difficulty of finding an accurate model to replicate flow through blood vessels that demonstrates laws including Bernoulli's Equation and Poiseuille's Law. This creates a need for mechanical desktop models that can be used in laboratory settings. The goal of the Hemodynamic Simulator project was to create a desktop model to measure and predict fluid flow through a system of pipes and sensors that functionally replicate the circulatory system. The team designed a modular approach to displaying laminar flow, change in pressure due to constriction and viscous effects, and change in flow rate due to pipe resistance. The device was developed on a budget of $500 USD and fits on a laboratory bench-top. An Arduino board is used for data collection, a differential transducer and in-line flowmeter are used for pressure and flow measurements, and a tracer dye for display of laminar and turbulent flow. Students can use the set-up along with the provided experimental protocol and work instruction to complete the lab.
