A novel polymer heart valve : quantification of hydrodynamic function and platelet deposition

Authors

Siobhain Lynn Gallocher, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Biomedical Engineering

First Advisor's Name

Richard T. Schoephoerster

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Leonard Pinchuk

Third Advisor's Name

Nikolaos Tsoukias

Fourth Advisor's Name

Eric Crumpler

Date of Defense

2004

Abstract

Polymer trileaflet heart valves have been under investigation since the 1960's but their success has not been realized because of failure due to calcification, thrombogenicity, tensile stresses, and overall lack of durability. The purpose of this research was to assess Quatromer , a proprietary triblock co-polymer, for use in a trileaflet heart valve. Two specific aims were covered in this research endeavor: 1) Hydrodynamic assessment of a composite Quatromer valve and 2) Assessment of the thrombogenic potential of the Quatromer^TM material by means of platelet deposition. Hydrodynamic tests proved that the Quatromer^TM valve had equivalent performance when compared with two commercially available mechanical and bioprosthetic valves, while biocompatibility testing showed that the material's resistance to platelet aggravation was equivalent to that of polyurethane, the leading choice of polymer for trileaflet heart valves. In conclusion, the Quatromer^TM trileaflet valve has been shown to have a promising design that warrants further investigation.

Identifier

FI15101481

Recommended Citation

Gallocher, Siobhain Lynn, "A novel polymer heart valve : quantification of hydrodynamic function and platelet deposition" (2004). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3441.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3441