Publication Date

Spring 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biomedical Engineering

Advisor

Alessandro Bellofiore; Lin Jiang; Yue Luo

Keywords

2D;3D;bi-leaflet MHV;CFD;FSI;numerical model

Abstract

In this study, we developed a 3D Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) model using COMSOL© to analyze the unsteady flow through a bi-leaflet mechanical heart valve. The model incorporates sufficient complexity to test various factors, such as leaflet angle rotation, material selection for rigid components, fluid properties, and different simulation modes. Simultaneously, the model maintains a simplified structure and is developed using a single software platform, facilitating ease of modification and expansion by other researchers or developers. The mechanical heart valve (MHV) design was created using St. Jude’s geometric parameters as a reference. The input and output pressure waveforms are derived from interpolated ventricular and aortic pressures and were used as simulation inputs. The resulting velocity, vorticity, shear, and pressure profiles were analyzed and compared to previously published laboratory results and available clinical data from All of US Research databases for validation. The output velocity and shear stress profiles aligned strongly with published laboratory results, highlighting the model’s reliability and potential for practical use. The findings contribute to the ongoing development of computational cardiovascular simulations, bridging the gap between experimental and numerical analyses in MHV designs.

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