IngentaConnect Particle Image Velocimetry for Flow Analysis in Longitudinal Plan...

Authors: Paolo Castellini¹; Marcos Pinotti; Lorenzo Scalise¹

Source: Artificial Organs, Volume 28, Number 5, May 2004 , pp. 507-513(7)

Abstract:

In the last decades a great number of in vitro studies have been conducted to improve the design and to understand the transvalvular flow patterns under steady-state and pulsating flow conditions. Steady-state tests are useful for studying the flow established upstream and downstream of the valve prosthesis in different flow conditions and, in particular, at the peak flow rate. In the present study, the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique is employed to visualize the flow patterns in a precommercial model of a bi-leaflet mechanical heart valve prosthesis in a steady-state flow regime. The use of the PIV technique and a convenient test rig provide good conditions with which to investigate the whole flow field upstream and downstream of the valve. Velocity and vorticity maps are obtained for the flow passing through the prosthesis in different axial planes. A new and simple solution for the measurement test chamber is proposed. This innovative approach of observing the flow in staggered planes (other than diametrical planes) allows a flow analysis to be performed upstream and downstream of the valve in regions near the tube wall where it has the maximum potential for injury of the vessel's inner cell layer.

Keywords: Artificial heart valve; Particle image velocimetry; Flow pattern near vessel wall

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2004.07271.x

Affiliations: 1: Dipartimento di Meccanica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$50.16 plus tax Refund Policy

Particle Image Velocimetry for Flow Analysis in Longitudinal Planes across a Mechanical Artificial Heart Valve