Computation of Wear in Artificial Heart Valves

Abstract

In order to assist with the prognosis of wear processes in low profile disc heart valves, an approximate haemodynamic theory has been used for the determination of opening and closing dynamics of these valves, together with the most developed theory to date of frictional fatigue. The heart valve element wear was defined by solving the contact problem, which takes account of changes to the contact surface form as a consequence of wear. Calculated values are compared with in vivo wear data for artificial heart valves. The proposed model for estimating wear in artificial heart valves allows an optimization to be made of the wear resistance in available designs and to predict the wear resistance of artificial heart valves at the design stage.

Interaction of artificial carbon pyroceram mitral valve with blood plasma

“…Anode polarization curves for carbon pyroceram-2 in 3% NaCl solution (I) and blood plasma (2) In spite of high mechanical properties and wear resistance in friction [7], chemical (electrochemical) properties of the artificial mitral valve are still to be examined. Blood plasma, like any electrolytic medium, may be corrosive since the material may contain (in particular, on its surface) inclusions of foreign metals, mainly iron.…”