Abstract:Objective Try to set up a nonlinear lumped parameter model of intra-aorta pump by studying the relationship between the pressure difference and the blood flow rate at the head of the pump, so as to predict the hemodynamic parameters of the pump. Methods Only the parameters of the pump, without hemodynamic parameters of the circulating system, were used to esfablish the model. It was composed of a speed-controlled current source representing the flow rate driven by impeller, an internal resistant representing the resistance of the radial clearance, an inductance denoting the inertance of the blood. Results The model could simulate the physiological status of the heart under all the situations from pulmonary congestion to ventricular collapse. The characteristic equation of the pump was derived with parameters determined by experimental data in vitro. Conclusions To verify the accuracy of the model, the prediction value calculated from the model was compared with the one recorded from experiment in vitro. The results showed that the error in between was less than 5%, which indicated that this model could predict the pressure difference of the pump accurately.