The application of biomimicry to a mechanical valve design for the abatement of flow instabilities

Studies have suggested that the anterior leaflet of the native mitral valve aid in the formation of an asymmetric vortex ring similar to that seen in healthy left ventricles... ...we seek to investigate if this physiological left ventricular vortex can be replicated solely by the inclusion of an “anterior leaflet-like” feature within a mechanical valve design and its subsequent effects on downstream turbulence.... ...Situated within the working chamber was the left ventricular silicon phantom actuated by a pulsatile pump (ViVitro Labs Inc., Victoria, BC), the resulting ventricular pumping motion circulated a mixture of glycerin and water (40 …