In vitro heart valve simulators
To test the efficacy of new mitral valve repair and replacement devices we have developed an optically clear heart model with a mitral valve implanted in it for visualization with echo, fluoroscope, endoscopy or MRI. Different primary and secondary mitral and tricuspid valve lesions can be mimicked in this model and the efficacy of new devices can be immediately determined with direct vision or with the modalities described above. In a second model (bottom row of images), we use whole swine hearts to create an in-vivo like environment with an intact mitral valve and left ventricle/ or tricuspid valve and right ventricle.
isolated mitral valve simulator
This is an optically clear model, in which all forms of native or prosthetic heart valves can be mounted and tested for their hemodynamic characteristics. The annulus can accommodate valves ranging in sizes from pediatric to adult, and the papillary muscle rods can be adjusted to support a sub-valvular apparatus or removed entirely if the valve does not have a sub-valvular apparatus. This model is setup as a closed flow loop, with pressure and flow transducers equipped to quantify hemodynamics; is compatible with ultrasound and fluoroscopy imaging for transcatheter device testing; and has a trans-septal port access for real-time transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement testing. Mitral valve lesions, i.e. degenerative/ primary MR, Barlow's pathology, functional/secondary MR, etc can be mimicked in this model for testing the efficacy of repair and replacement devices.
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Left atrial view of the mitral valve
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Left ventricular view with adjustable PMs
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Mitral valve prolapse
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Functional mitral regurgitation
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mitral valve - left ventricular simulator
This model preserves the mitral valve and left ventricular tissue continuity, to study repair and replacement technologies that require such continuity for their function. Though the active contractility of the myocardium is not simulated, pulsation is achieved using a linear pump. This model is especially amenable for transcatheter techniques as native tissue is preserved and ultrasound image quality is excellent.
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tricuspid valve simulator
This model of tricuspid valve and functional tricuspid regurgitation, preserves the entire right heart, and thus is useful to test transcatheter solutions that require anchoring of the implant either in the right ventricle, superior vena cava or inferior vena cava. Functional tricuspid regurgitation is induced using a variety of techniques, either by isolated tricuspid annular dilatation, or a combination of annular dilatation and right ventricular dilatation.
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MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
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CLINICAL IMAGING MODALITIES
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HEMODYNAMICS & MECHANICS
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