Abstract
Closing response of the mechanical heart valve prostheses was evaluated using an X-ray high-speed video camera and a mechanical mock circulator. Effect of the valve design parameters, such as designed angle at closed position; momentum of inertia and mass of occluder, on the closing response was examined. The closing response was analyzed by the following parameters;(1)pressure gradient at onset of valve closing, (2)amount of back flow volume during motion, (3)period during closing motion. It was clarified that 1)back flow volume and a period during closing motion were closely influenced by an angle of closed position, while pressure gradient was changed by the mass of occluder, 2)there was no distinct change in closing response, when a momentum of inertia was varied up to 78×10-9kg⋅m2.
