Structural Analysis to Evaluate the Design of a Synthetic Mitral Valve Prosthesis

Synthetic heart valves restore the functioning of a diseased valve better than mechanical and biological valves. Its biocompatibility and superior flexibility ispreferred for the replacement of diseased mitral valve. Considering the anatomical and hemodynamic limitations of the mitral valve, synthetic valves will be able to perform better than mechanical or biological valves. In this computational study, models of segmented polyurethane valves with varying leaflet configuration were designed.The bileaflet, trileaflet and quadrileaflet modelswere subjected to linear structural analysis to determine its durability and flexibility. The leaflet models were simulated to operate against atransvavular pressure gradient of 30mmHg (systolic pressure) and 120mmHg (diastolic pressure). The output in the form of von Misesstress distribution pattern for each of the leaflet model was obtained. The trileaflet and quadrileaflet configurationshowed better functionality in comparison to bileaflet valve. The outcome of this study is the basis for the development of a low profiled, transcatheter mitral valve replacement device, with superior durability and flexibility.