Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping blood using an ion propulsion technique without causing hemolysis. A pulsatile blood pump has transducer for housing a "C" shaped magnet providing a constant magnetic field between the north and south poles of the magnet, a tray slider assembly insertable into a cavity of the transducer, and a disposable insert for insertion into an extracorporeal circuit, the disposable insert comprising a central section having a rectangular outer surface and a constant tubular bore, the central section having a first electric field plate and a second electric field plate disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the outer surface of the central section, the first and second electric field plates being respectively connected to negative and positive terminals of a voltage source for generating an electric field between the first and second electric field plates.