Physiologically-based testing system for the mechanical characterization of prosthetic vein valves

• Main Authors: Oberdier Matt T, Rittgers Stanley E, Pottala Sharath
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-07-01
• Series: BioMedical Engineering OnLine
• Online Access: http://www.biomedical-engineering-online.com/content/6/1/29

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Due to the relatively limited amount of work done to date on developing prosthetic vein (as opposed to cardiac) valves, advances in this topic require progress in three distinct areas: 1) improved device design, 2) relevant device testing conditions, and, 3) appropriate parameters for evaluation of results. It is the purpose of this paper to address two of these issues (#2 and #3) by: 1) performing a study of normal volunteers to quantify the anatomy and hemodynamic features of healthy venous valves, 2) construction of a 2-step, <it>in vitro </it>testing procedure, which simulates both physiologic and postural conditions seen in the lower extremity venous system, and, 3) defining several modified and new parameters which quantify dynamic valve characteristics.</p>