Echo Particle Image Velocimetry (echoPIV) experiments have to be performed on a \textit{in-vitro} model of the carotid artery to examine the effect of stent placement on flow characteristics. The aim of the study is to design and implement an \textit{in-vitro} flow circuit of the carotid artery with pulsatile flow conditions. The mock circulatory loop (MCL) must resemble the \textit{in-vivo} physiological conditions of the cardiovascular circuit in the carotid artery.
The pulsatile conditions are simulated with a simple flow circuit, including a piston driven pump and a gear pump. The analysis of the modeled waveform shows correlation with the volumetric flow profile of the carotid artery in older adults, although it is not optimal. The spread is relatively large at the early systole and early diastole due to the performance of the piston driven pump. Furthermore, the minimum flow rate of the waveform is elevated because of the gear pump.
The physiologic conditions of the systemic circuit, such as the peripheral resistance and the compliance of the vessels, are included in the advanced flow circuit. The MCL replicates a two-element windkessel model. The effect of the components is analysed by comparing the resulting volumetric flow profile with the modeled waveform. The elements regulate the pressure in the flow circuit: the systolic and diastolic pressure are 110 mm Hg and 90 mm Hg respectively. The pulse pressure can be improved by changing the size of the compliance chamber. The resistance and compliance visibly influence the pulsatile flow profile, but the waveform largely resembles the \textit{in-vivo} waveform.
To conclude, with several adjustments the \textit{in-vitro} flow circuit can be used for reliable and reproducible experiments with echoPIV on a carotid artery phantom.
