Particle Image Velocimetry and Finite Volume Method Study of Bi-leaflet Artificial Heart Valve

Abstract

The key feature of the bi-leaflet valve is the geometry of the two leaflets, which can be crucial in determining the flow field. In this paper, observations were made on the flow pattern of the blood through the use of bi-leaflet type mechanical prosthetic valve (MHV). Finite volume method (FVM) analysis was conducted using fluid-structure interaction (FSI) method that solved on a dynamic mesh. In terms of the validation, particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to verify the findings obtained from FVM analysis. The results of velocity and vorticity were the main parameters to be compared. Based on the findings, the results computed for the leaflets motion and the flow field using FVM was found to be in agreement with PIV experimental data. The pressure obtained for the simulation is in the range of 10,666 – 16,000 Pa, which is an ideal and healthy blood pressure level of human. The vorticity was observed to be formed behind the valve with DVI value of 1.275 (simulation) and 1.457 (experiment), lower than the expected range for a normal DVI in mitral valve. The maximum shear stress achieved (22.5481 Pa) is in the range of platelets activation, which could lead to thrombus formation. The maximum Von Mises stress was found to be at the hinge region of the bi-leaflet valve. These results will serve as a basis for valve design to improve the hemodynamic properties of the heart valve.

Keywords

• Mechanical heart valve; Particle image velocimetry; Fluid-structure interaction; Dynamic mesh.