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Dynamic characterization of a new accelerated heart valve tester
F Menzler1, A D Haubold, N H Hwang
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124, USA.
ASAIO Journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)
|November 14, 1997
Summary
A novel prosthetic heart valve tester prototype was developed to accelerate testing. This device accurately mimics human circulation, enabling simultaneous testing of eight valves with precise monitoring and adjustment capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Devices
- Prosthetic Heart Valves
Background:
- Prosthetic heart valves require rigorous testing to ensure durability and performance.
- Existing testing methods may not fully replicate the complex hemodynamic conditions of the human systemic circulation.
- Accelerated testing is crucial for efficient development and quality control of artificial heart valves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a new accelerated prosthetic heart valve tester prototype.
- To validate the tester's ability to accurately mimic human systemic circulation afterload.
- To assess the performance of the tester in evaluating prosthetic heart valve function under simulated physiological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Development of an accelerated tester incorporating a camshaft and poppet valves.
- Utilization of a three-element Windkessel system to simulate systemic circulation afterload.
- Simultaneous testing of eight prosthetic heart valves with individual monitoring and adjustment of flow rate, pressure, and valve loading.
- Characterization and calibration using Carpentier-Edwards bioprostheses under varying flow rates (3-5 L/min) and pressure differences (140-190 mmHg).
Main Results:
- The tester successfully operated at cycling rates up to 1,250 cycles/min.
- Smooth and complete opening and closing of valve leaflets were observed across all tested cycling rates.
- Uniform velocity profiles approaching the test valves were confirmed, ensuring synchronous valve operation.
- The device demonstrated reliable performance in simulating physiological conditions for prosthetic heart valve testing.
Conclusions:
- The developed accelerated prosthetic heart valve tester is a viable tool for efficient and accurate evaluation of valve performance.
- The tester's ability to mimic human systemic circulation and its precise control mechanisms facilitate robust testing protocols.
- The findings support the use of this prototype for accelerating the development and quality assurance of prosthetic heart valves.