Mitral Mechanical Heart Valve Dynamics and Cavitation

Occluder dynamics and valve hemodynamics in mechanical heart valves (MHV's) are strongly coupled. Wdevelop a numerical fluid-structure interaction model for predicting leaflet dynamics as a functionphysiologic flow rates in-tilting disk mitral MHV's. The Influence-Coefficient method, which we earlstructure interactions in natural aortic valves, will be adapted for simulating mitral MHV dynamics.dimensional computer model will be developed for a typical bi-leaflet valves. The model will be usedhemodynamics and cavitation inception near the valve. Published in-vitro data on valve closure velocthe sites for cavitation damage in MHV explants will be used to assess and refine the model predictimodel will be adapted for mono-leaflet tilting disk valves, and then extended for three-dimensional3-D model will be validated in collaboration with a leading experimental research group. It will thedesign criteria for tilting disk mitral MHVs with improved hemodynamics in which cavitation is elimi