Automation of the peripheral resistance valve in a hydro-mechanical cardiovascular pulse duplicator system

This paper considers the modernization of an existing non-commercial Pulse Duplicator in use at the Healing Research Laboratory at the University of Padova, Italy. The system reproduces human systemic circulation and it is used to test heart medical devices. The focus of this study is the full automation of a crucial system component that is the peripheral resistance manual valve that is replaced by a motorized one. First, under certain technological constraints, the problem of the automatic setting adjustment of the valve is tackled by using a Sliding Mode Extremum Seeking Control (ESC) method. This approach guarantees the system fundamental pressure drop to simulate the peripheral resistance to flow in the human systemic circulation in various system configurations and operating conditions. Then, the Sliding Mode ESC algorithm is embedded in an Arduino board driving the motorized valve. Finally, experimental tests are performed to assess the effectiveness of the motorized valve.