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Structural analysis of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve prosthesis with curved leaflet

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Abstract

Structural analysis, especially the thickness effect on the structural strength, of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve prosthesis with curved leaflets is presented in this paper. Taking the wide variations of the blood flow pressure on the leaflet surface, the structural stresses inside the leaflet and deflections of the leaflet are investigated by adopting both linear and nonlinear structural analysis techniques for more accurate results comparison. The thickness of the curved leaflet also varies considerably from 0.50 mm to 0.75 mm by 0.05 mm. These are very useful for the design of the mechanical heart valve (MHV) prosthesis. Linear and nonlinear structural mechanic analyses for the leaflet of the MHV prosthesis are conducted to predict the structural strength variation of the leaflet as the leaflet thickness changes. Analysis results show that the structural strength of the leaflet decreases as the leaflet thickness becomes thinner and thinner, and the nonlinear structural behaviors of thin leaflets are very conspicuous for large applied blood pressures. Hence, these thin leaflets are not desirable for the in vivo use of the MHV prosthesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechano-Informatics & Design Engineering, Hongik University, 300 Shinan-ri, Chochiwon-eup, Yeonki-gun, Choongnam, 339-701, S. Korea

    Young Joo Kwon

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  1. Young Joo Kwon
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Correspondence to Young Joo Kwon.

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This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Young Eun Kim

Young Joo Kwon received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Seoul National University in year and year, respectively, and then obtained the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at The University of Michigan. He served as an engineer at Analysis and Design Application Co., Ltd., country, and a manager at Engineering Mechanics Research Corporation, country, and is currently a senior researcher at Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Korea and a professor in the Department of Mechano-Informatics & Design Engineering at Hongik University.

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Kwon, Y.J. Structural analysis of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve prosthesis with curved leaflet. J Mech Sci Technol 22, 2038–2047 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-008-0621-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-008-0621-4

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