Abstract
This paper presents a parametric finite element analysis of the stresses in the leaflets of a new design of polyurethane heart valve in the closed position. The alpharabola geometry of the valve has previously been reported by Leat and Fisher (1) and has been shown to demonstrate good opening characteristics. The effects of variations in leaflet offset parameter, g, length, h, and local thickening have been determined for a valve where the frame is assumed rigid. A spherical leaflet geometry has also been analysed for comparative purposes. Results have shown that the alpharabola leaflet geometry can reduce the maximum principal tensile stress to 60 per cent of that for a spherical valve of the same mesh density
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 267-272 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H - Journal of Engineering in Medicine |
| Volume | 210 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 1996 |