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Characterization of the Isolated, Ventilated, and Instrumented Mouse Lung Perfused with Pulsatile Flow
Published on: April 29, 2011
In vitro study of flow regulation for pulmonary insufficiency.
T A Camp1, K C Stewart, R S Figliola
1Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA.
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|April 6, 2007
Summary
This study explored motionless pulmonary valve devices and mechanical valves for regulating pulmonary circulation. Mechanical valves showed potential despite some closure issues, suggesting motionless devices may be viable.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Engineering
- Biomedical Devices
- Pulmonary Circulation Dynamics
Background:
- The right heart circulation can tolerate mild regurgitation and pressure gradients.
- Mechanical heart valves are used, but their performance in the pulmonary circulation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of motionless devices for regulating pulmonary circulation.
- To document the flow performance of mechanical bileaflet and tilting disk valves in a pulmonary mock circulatory system.
Main Methods:
- Tested a motionless diode, a nozzle, a mechanical bileaflet valve, and a tilting disk valve.
- Utilized a pulmonary mock circulatory system simulating the normal human range of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).
- Measured regurgitant fractions (RFs) and transvalvular pressure gradients at various PVR levels and a flow rate of 5 liters per minute (lpm).
Main Results:
- Mechanical valves demonstrated weak dependence of RF and gradient on PVR, maintaining control despite leaflet flutter and incomplete closure at lower PVR.
- The motionless diode valve regulated flow with mild RF and trivial gradient, though values were higher than mechanical valves.
- Nozzle performance showed increasing RF and gradient with increasing PVR.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical valves can manage regurgitation in the pulmonary circulation under normal physiological conditions, even with suboptimal closure.
- Motionless pulmonary valve devices show promise for regulating pulmonary circulation to tolerable levels.
