Electric analogue model of the singleneedle extracorporal blood-circulatory system of an artificial kidney

Using an electric analogue model, the flow conditions (the progress over time of blood pressure and blood flow) within the single-needle extracorporal bloodcirculatory system of an artificial kidney are investigated. Two different arrangements are taken into consideration: a system with a nonpulsatile pump (a roller pump) and a system with a pulsatile pump (two roller pumps, or one bellows pump). It is demonstrated that, using a pulsatile pump and an optimised pump frequency, it is possible to achieve a reduction in pressure variations as well as flow-velocity variations (with a correspondingly reduced haemolysis rate), and also to achieve an increase in the mean blood flow (comparable to a two-needle system).