Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

In Situ Aortic Root In Vitro Testing Of The Stented And Stenless Porcine Aortic Heart Valves, Sean Parker

Theses

Background - The stent, Delrin® support frame, for porcine heart valves has been blamed for reduced durability of these valves due to the additional stress caused by the relative stiffness of the stent. There is a tendency among surgeons to do away with the stent in the aortic position and use porcine stentless valves which are sewn directly in the aortic position after removing diseased valve. These stentless valves are extremely difficult to test and no appropriate holder has been designed for this purpose. New approach for in vitro testing of these valves has been developed at Sheihigh, Inc., Millburn …