Measurements of pulsatile flow in a tapered tube

This paper describes flow visualization results and measurements of the flu ctuating pressure and velocity in pulsatile flow through a conical tube. Th e flow was produced by a pusher-plate type pump and circulated in a closed- loop system equipped with valves, under conditions relevant to physiologica l blood flow. The results demonstrate the formation of traveling pressure w aves caused by valve operation and the presence of flow separation and turb ulence during the deceleration phase of diastole.