Abstract

Chemically treated bovine pericardium (BP) has been used extensively in the fabrication of bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV), which have compared to mechanical valves, superior fluid dynamical properties. However, BHVs continue to suffer limited long-term durability and will fail in 8–10 years, as result of calcification and mechanical damage. Our long-term goal is to improve BHV functional performance through the development of improved constitutive models. These models lead to a better understanding of the role tissue microstructure in determining overall mechanical behavior and limited long-term durability.

Volume Subject Area:
Cardiovascular Biomaterials
Topics:
Constitutive equations, Durability, Biological tissues, Damage, Fluids, Heart valve prostheses, Manufacturing, Mechanical behavior, Valves
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Copyright © 1997 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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