Abstract: A blood pump having a rigid chamber with a central opening is connected to a vacuum source such that the vacuum source applies a vacuum on an elastic tubular membrane through the opening in the rigid chamber. The blood supply to the chamber is controlled by a first pinch valve disposed on the blood input end and a second pinch valve disposed on the blood output end. In order to pump the blood through the chamber, a vacuum source is applied when the first pinch valve is opened and the second pinch valve is closed to suction blood inside the tubular membrane. Then, the vacuum source ceases to apply a vacuum when the first pinch valve is closed and the second pinch valve is open in order to expel the blood from the tubular membrane. This type of blood pump reduces the formation of platelet aggregates and thrombi, and allows for blood to be more efficiently pumped to the patient.