Perfusion Method and Apparatus

A method for simulating heart surgery with a perfusion system under control of a perfusionist that has an inlet for receiving deoxygenated fluid, a pump, and an outlet supplying oxygenated fluid, the method comprising:

• providing a patient simulator apparatus that includes an inlet line that is configured to receive fluid from the outlet of the perfusion system, an outlet line that is configured to transfer fluid received via the inlet line to the inlet of the perfusion system, at least one sensor for measuring at least one simulated blood flow property of the fluid as it is transferred from the inlet line to the outlet line, at least one control device coupled to at least one of the inlet line and the outlet line, at least one fault device, and a control system operably coupled to the at least one control device, the at least one sensor, and the at least one fault device;
• coupling the inlet line of the patient simulator apparatus to the outlet of the perfusion system, and coupling the outlet line of the patient simulator apparatus to the inlet of the perfusion system;
• operating the patient simulator apparatus in conjunction with a perfusion process involving the perfusion system, wherein the control system controls the at least one control device based at least partially in response to signals from the at least one sensor so that the at least one control device manipulates the at least one simulated blood flow property as the fluid is transferred from the inlet line to the outlet line, in order to simulate characteristics of the circulatory system of the human that are responsive to fluid flow therethrough as supplied by the perfusion system during the perfusion process;
• and
• controlling the fault device to simulate a fault in the perfusion system so that the simulated surgery proceeds according to the simulated fault together with changes made to the perfusion system in response to the simulated fault by the perfusionist.