Abstract
In this paper we are reporting on a new bileaf let prosthetic heart valve made of an aluminum alloy. Test valves were made to observe characteristics of hydrodynamics around the valves, and to determine the basic valve design. In order to determine the optimal valve design, we had two design parameters which are axis position rate and leaflet curvature. Results of hydrodynamic studies suggested that the optimal combination between axis position rate and leaflet curvature were 70% and 9%, respectively among the test valves. The new bileaflet valve shows almost the same hydrodynamic characteristics as a conventional bileaflet valve.
