Design and implementation of a cost-effective, open-source, and programmable pulsatile flow system

The primary objective of this research was to design, implement, and validate a programmable open-source pulsatile flow system to cost-effectively simulate vascular flows. We employed an Arduino-compatible microcontroller combined with a motor driver to control a centrifugal direct current (DC) motor pump. The system was programmed to produce pulsatile flows with an arterial pulse waveform. Validation with Doppler ultrasound and flow measurements confirmed that our Arduino-based system successfully replicated arterial vascular flow. The materials are easily accessible, with a total bill of materials as low as $99. This open-source programmable pulsatile pump platform offers superior cost-effectiveness and adaptability relative to commercial offerings.