Based on the analysis of the influence of the valve pivot distance on the performance of mechanical heart valve (MHV), such as the valve opening and closing features, flow field characteristics and the valve assembly properties, value constraints of the valve pivot distance were established, and the reasonable valve was obtained by means of the finite element method. It can be shown that the central flow characteristics of the valve could be enhanced with the increasing of the ratio of pivot distance to valve inner diameter, but the plastic deformation of the ring could be liable to occur in the MHV assembly process. It is proved that the valve of specifications can be designed in similar ratio of pivot distance to valve inner diameter according to the result of the valve performance experiment.
The possibility of polyoxymethylene (POM) as heart valve leaflet material was investigated by comparing the hemocompatibility with that of 316L stainless steel and low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon (LTIC). Surface hydrophobicity was characterized by water contact angle measurement.Platelet adhesion, APTT/PT/TT and hemolysis rate tests were applied for evaluating hemocompatibility. The results showed that POM was hydrophobic and had a low hemolytic rate, adhesion amount and activation degree of platelets on POM surface were less than 316L stainless steel, and was similar to LTIC. This research pointed out potential application of POM as heart valve leaflets.
The rutile structure titanium oxide (Ti-O) film was prepared on the pure titanium material TA2 (99.999%) surface by the magnetic filter high vacuum arc deposition sputtering source. The method can not only maintain the material mechanical properties, but also improve the surface properties for better biocompatibility to accommodate the physiological environment. The preparation process of the Ti-O film was as follows. Firstly, argon ions sputtered to the TA2 substrate surface to remove the excess impurities. Secondly, a metal ion source generated Ti ions and oxygen ions by the RF discharge. Meanwhile a certain negative bias was imposed on the sample. There a certain composition of Ti-O film was obtained under a certain pressure of oxygen in the vacuum chamber. Finally, X-ray diffraction was used to research the structure and composition of the film. The results showed that the Ti-O film of the rutile crystal structure was formed under the 0.18 Pa oxygen partial pressure. A Nano scratch experiment was used to test the coating adhesion property, which demonstrated that the film was stable and durable. The contact angle experiment and the platelet clotting experiment proved that the modified surface method had improved platelet adhesion performance, and, therefore, the material possessed better biocompatibility. On the whole, the evaluations proved the modified material had excellent performance.