Experimental investigation of the fluid dynamic aspects of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve
Date
2009-11-17T20:44:57Z
Authors
Mejia, Juan
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Abstract
Turbulent flow downstream of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve is investigated using digital particle image velocimetry. Evolution of flow structures during the systole and diastole phases of a typical cardiac cycle is characterized by obtaining global flow velocity measurements in multiple cross-sections of the flow field. Instantaneous and time-averaged patterns of flow velocity, vorticity, and streamline topology are used to illustrate the interaction between the unsteady vortices that results in elevation of shear stress levels. This image-based approach can potentially lead to development of methods of control of platelet activation and provides insight into the underlying flow physics.
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Keywords
heart valve prosthesis, aortic valve