ABSTRACT
We investigated the flow fields associated with the Bjork-Shiley Monostrut mechanical heart valve in the mitral position of the 50 cc Penn State left ventricular assist device. The valve orientation was adjusted whereby flow field data was collected using planar particle image velocimetry. The mitral valve was rotated from 0 to 45 degrees, in 15-degree increments. For each valve orientation, measurements were made in three planes (3, 5, and 8 mm from the front wall) parallel to the device pusher plate. Penetration of the inlet jet was affected by the valve orientation with more intense and longer duration wall washing motion occurring at 45 degrees. As a result, the 45-degree mitral valve orientation is recommended to help prevent areas of thrombus deposition. Valve orientation is an important aspect of assist device design.
Subject(s)
Blood Flow Velocity/physiology , Heart Valve Prosthesis , Heart-Assist Devices , Hemodynamics/physiology , Mitral Valve , Equipment Design , Heart Valve Prosthesis/adverse effects , Heart-Assist Devices/adverse effects , Rheology , Thrombosis/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Particle image velocimetry is used to study the flow field associated with off-design conditions of the 50cc Penn State Ventricular Assist Device. Phase average data, for 300 consecutive beats, was acquired for 60, 75, and 90 beats per minute (bpm) at 35/65 systolic duration and at 75 bpm for 50/50 systolic duration. Diastolic flow is dominated by the inflow jet and shows more penetration and better wall washing at higher beat rates and shorter diastolic time. A flow separation near the minor orifice of the aortic valve, however, is larger under these conditions. Turbulent energy, which peaks during diastole, is found to be strongest at the edges of the jet and near the valves and scales well with the maximum inlet jet velocity. A region of potential separation on the right lateral wall is identified and will be relieved by geometric modifications of the evolving design.