Particle Image Velocimetry Study of a New Scaffold for Aortic Valve Tissue Engineering

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine the hemodynamic performance of a new polyurethane scaffold for aortic valve tissue engineering. A new experiment set-up was developed to simulate blood flow in the aortic position and to visualize the flow field along valve scaffolds. Aortic valve scaffolds (n= 6) were sprayed with different cusps thickness (d_(Cusps)): Group A (n= 2, d_(Cusps)= standard), Group B (n= 4, d_(Cusps)= double) and evaluated by means of time resolved 2D particle image velocimetry (PIV). The results of the flow measurements showed similar hemodynamic performance of both groups. Valve scaffolds open and close properly and show no or minimal backflow through the valve during diastole.