The basic characteristics of a linear pulse motor-driven artificial heart, as obtained in mock tests, are discussed. The artificial heart consists mainly of a linear pulse motor and a blood pump which are mechanically coupled. The linear pulse motor has a flat structure and is constructed from laminated sheets of permendure and rare-earth magnets. Two kinds of blood pumps, the diaphragm and the pusher-cup types, were prepared for use in the mock tests. With the diaphragm-type pump, an aortic pressure of 69 to 103 mmHg was obtained at 113 beats/min. Using the pusher-cup type pump, an aortic pressure of 53 to 97 mmHg was obtained at 130 beats/min. The artificial heart was thus confirmed to have the potential for actual implantation.