Pulsatile Flow Behavior in Elastic Systems Containing Wave Reflection Sites

Abstract

An analytical study is presented for one-dimensional, pulsatile flow of an incompressible fluid in systems of elastic tubing. Nonlinear terms are retained in the system of describing equations. Three experimental test systems with characteristics similar in some respects to those of the human cardiovascular system are described. These systems were used for experimental verification of the analytical predictions. Comparisons of the analytical predictions and experimental results show that pressures, mass flow rates, and velocities can be predicted with reasonable accuracy for all test conditions employed on the three models.