Experimental study of hydrodynamics of artificial heart valves
Vil'danov, L.M.; Etonov, M.P.; Iurechko, V.N.
Meditsinskaia Tekhnika 2: 11-18
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8075 PMID: 9611743 Document Number: 494798
The paper presents the results of examining the hydrodynamics of artificial heart valves (AHVs) manufactured in Russia and foreign countries. All the AHVs under study have been used in clinical practice for over 10 years and they are different in design. The hydrodynamics of AHVs was examined under static and pulsating flow through the valve. Photochromic imaging (PCI) was used for flow imaging. PCI is based on preparation of simulating blood (model physiological solution) in the medium, colour labels under laser radiation. The recording of colour label movement in the flow behind the valve using a speed camera makes it possible to follow flow hydrodynamics behind AHVs. The advantage of PCI over other methods is that the instant structure of flow behind the valve can be recorded just in the same section at any moment of an operating cycle. Based on the experimental data obtained by PCI, a procedure for comparative analysis of the hydrodynamic characteristics of AHVs was developed.