The Effect of Leaflet Elasticity on the Hydrodynamic Performance of Trileaflet Prosthetic Valves

삼엽인공판막 leaflet 탄성도가 수력학적 성능에 미치는 영향

  • Seo, J.C. (Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Myongji University) ;
  • Rhee, K.H. (Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Myongji University) ;
  • Lee, S.H. (Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • Ahn, H. (Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul National University)
  • 서종천 (명지대학교 공과대학 기계공학과) ;
  • 이계한 (명지대학교 공과대학 기계공학과) ;
  • 이상훈 (단국대학교 의과대학 의공학과) ;
  • 안혁 (서울대학교 의과대학 흥부외과)
  • Published : 1997.11.28

Abstract

The Hydrodynamic performance of the trileaflet polymer prosthetic valves depends on the design of the leaflet and the physical properties of the leaflet membrane. In order to study the effect of leaflet membrane elasticity on the hemodynamic performance of trileaflet prosthetic valve, leaflet membranes are manufactured using two different polymers - Biospan and Tecoflex SG-93A. The hemodynamic performance parameters are measured under steady and physiological pulsatile flow, and compared with monoleaflet polymer valve(floating valve) and bileaflet mechanical valve(St. Jude Medical valve). Well designed trileaflet valve shows the lowest mean pressure drop among the tested valves. The trileaflet valves with Biospan membrane show lower pressure drop and back low comparing to those with Tecoflex membrane. More elastic membrane may provide wide opening area during systole and close membrane ree edge contact during diastole. Durability of trileaflet valves are also tested in vitro. Trileaflet valves with non-uniform membrane thickness ail within 17 days because of stress concentration. Trileaflet polymer valves with uniform membrane thickness perform well over 55 days without failure.

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