Sample records for valve positive history

  1. Development Specification for RV-346/348 Positive Pressure Relief Valves (PPRV)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ralston, Russell L.

    2017-01-01

    This specification establishes the requirements for design, performance, safety, testing, and manufacture of the RV-346 and RV-348, Positive Pressure Relief Valve (PPRV) as part of the Advanced Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)(AEMU) Portable Life Support System (PLSS). The RV-346 serves as the Positive Pressure Relief Valve (PPRV), and the RV-348 serves as the Secondary Positive Pressure Relief Valve (SPPRV).

  2. Automatic Mesh Generation of Hybrid Mesh on Valves in Multiple Positions in Feedline Systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ross, Douglass H.; Ito, Yasushi; Dorothy, Fredric W.; Shih, Alan M.; Peugeot, John

    2010-01-01

    Fluid flow simulations through a valve often require evaluation of the valve in multiple opening positions. A mesh has to be generated for the valve for each position and compounding. The problem is the fact that the valve is typically part of a larger feedline system. In this paper, we propose to develop a system to create meshes for feedline systems with parametrically controlled valve openings. Herein we outline two approaches to generate the meshes for a valve in a feedline system at multiple positions. There are two issues that must be addressed. The first is the creation of the mesh on the valve for multiple positions. The second is the generation of the mesh for the total feedline system including the valve. For generation of the mesh on the valve, we will describe the use of topology matching and mesh generation parameter transfer. For generation of the total feedline system, we will describe two solutions that we have implemented. In both cases the valve is treated as a component in the feedline system. In the first method the geometry of the valve in the feedline system is replaced with a valve at a different opening position. Geometry is created to connect the valve to the feedline system. Then topology for the valve is created and the portion of the topology for the valve is topology matched to the standard valve in a different position. The mesh generation parameters are transferred and then the volume mesh for the whole feedline system is generated. The second method enables the user to generate the volume mesh on the valve in multiple open positions external to the feedline system, to insert it into the volume mesh of the feedline system, and to reduce the amount of computer time required for mesh generation because only two small volume meshes connecting the valve to the feedline mesh need to be updated.

  3. Aortic biological valve thrombosis in an HIV positive patient.

    PubMed

    Achouh, Paul; Jemel, Amine; Chaudeurge, Aurélie; Redheuil, Alban; Zegdi, Rachid; Fabiani, Jean-Noël

    2011-06-01

    Biological aortic valve thrombosis is an exceptional complication. A 64-year-old patient positive for human immunodeficiency virus presented for syncope on exertion, 2 years after an aortic bioprosthetic valve replacement and double coronary artery bypass. Transvalvular aortic mean gradient was approximately 50 mm Hg on echocardiogram and catheterization. Cardiac computed tomography scan showed a limited opening of the bioprosthesis cusps. Surgical exploration revealed thrombosis of the three cusps on the aortic side, limiting the opening of the valve. No relation could be established between the patient's human immunodeficiency virus status and valve thrombosis. Copyright © 2011 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Variable reluctance proximity sensors for cryogenic valve position indication

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cloyd, R. A.

    1982-01-01

    A test was conducted to determine the performance of a variable reluctance proximity sensor system when installed in a space shuttle external tank vent/relief valve. The sensors were used as position indicators. The valve and sensors were cycled through a series of thermal transients; while the valve was being opened and closed pneumatically, the sensor's performance was being monitored. During these thermal transients, the vent valve was cooled ten times by liquid nitrogen and two times by liquid hydrogen. It was concluded that the sensors were acceptable replacements for the existing mechanical switches. However, the sensors need a mechanical override for the target similar to what is presently used with the mechanical switches. This override could insure contact between sensor and target and eliminate any problems of actuation gap growth caused by thermal gradients.

  5. Means for positively seating a piezoceramic element in a piezoelectric valve during inlet gas injection

    DOEpatents

    Wright, Kenneth E.

    1994-01-01

    A piezoelectric valve in a gas delivery system includes a piezoceramic element bonded to a valve seal and disposed over a valve seat, and retained in position by an O-ring and a retainer; an insulating ball normally biased by a preload spring against the piezoceramic element; an inlet gas port positioned such that upon admission of inlet gas into the valve, the piezoceramic element is positively seated. The inlet gas port is located only on the side of the piezoceramic element opposite the seal.

  6. Control Valve

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Moore, Wayne R.

    A control valve includes a first conduit having a first inlet and a first outlet and defining a first passage; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet and defining a second passage, the second conduit extending into the first passage such that the second inlet is located within the first passage; and a valve plate disposed pivotably within the first passage, the valve plate defining a valve plate surface. Pivoting of the valve plate within the first passage varies flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and the valve plate is pivotal between amore » first position and a second position such that in the first position the valve plate substantially prevents fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage and such that in the second position the valve plate permits fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage.« less

  7. Transcatheter valve-in-valve therapy using 6 different devices in 4 anatomic positions: Clinical outcomes and technical considerations.

    PubMed

    Conradi, Lenard; Silaschi, Miriam; Seiffert, Moritz; Lubos, Edith; Blankenberg, Stefan; Reichenspurner, Hermann; Schaefer, Ulrich; Treede, Hendrik

    2015-12-01

    Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation (ViV) is emerging as a novel treatment option for patients with deteriorated bioprostheses. We report our cumulative experience using 6 types of transcatheter heart valves (THVs) in all anatomic positions. Seventy-five consecutive patients (74.1 ± 12.9 years, 50.7% male (38/75), logEuroSCORE I 26.2% ± 17.8%, STS-PROM 8.8% ± 7.4%) receiving ViV procedures from 2008 to 2014 were included for analysis. Data were prospectively gathered and retrospectively analyzed. ViV was performed in aortic (72.0%, 54/75), mitral (22.7%, 17/75), tricuspid (2.7%, 2/75), and pulmonary (2.7%, 2/75) positions. THVs used were Edwards SAPIEN (XT)/SAPIEN3 (52.0%, 39/75), Medtronic Core Valve/Core Valve Evolut(R) (34.7%, 26/75), St Jude Portico (4.0%, 3/75), Boston Scientific Lotus (4.0%, 3/75), Jena Valve (2.7%, 2/75), and Medtronic Engager (2.7%, 2/75). Interval from index procedure to ViV was 9.3 ± 4.9 years. Access was transapical in 53.3% (40/75), transfemoral (transarterial or transvenous) in 42.7% (32/75), transaortic in 2.7% (2/75), and transjugular in 1.3% (1/75). ViV was successful in 97.3% (73/75) with 2 patients requiring sequential THV implantation for initial malpositioning. Overall immediate procedural (≤72 hours) and all-cause 30-day mortality were 2.7% (2/75) and 8.0% (6/75). Corresponding values after aortic ViV were 1.9% (1/54) and 5.6% (3/54). No periprocedural strokes or cases of coronary obstruction occurred. Paravalvular leakage was less than or equal to mild in all cases. After aortic ViV, gradients were max/mean 34.1 ± 14.2/20.1 ± 7.1 mm Hg and effective orifice area (EOA) was 1.5 ± 1.4 cm(2). Corresponding values after mitral ViV were gradients max/mean 14.2 ± 8.2/4.7 ± 3.1 mm Hg and EOA 2.4 ± 0.9 cm(2). ViV can be performed in all anatomic positions with acceptable hemodynamic and clinical outcome in high-risk patients. Increasing importance of ViV can be anticipated considering growing use of surgical

  8. Nuclear radiation actuated valve

    DOEpatents

    Christiansen, David W.; Schively, Dixon P.

    1985-01-01

    A nuclear radiation actuated valve for a nuclear reactor. The valve has a valve first part (such as a valve rod with piston) and a valve second part (such as a valve tube surrounding the valve rod, with the valve tube having side slots surrounding the piston). Both valve parts have known nuclear radiation swelling characteristics. The valve's first part is positioned to receive nuclear radiation from the nuclear reactor's fuel region. The valve's second part is positioned so that its nuclear radiation induced swelling is different from that of the valve's first part. The valve's second part also is positioned so that the valve's first and second parts create a valve orifice which changes in size due to the different nuclear radiation caused swelling of the valve's first part compared to the valve's second part. The valve may be used in a nuclear reactor's core coolant system.

  9. Assessment of Cardiac Device Position on Supine Chest Radiograph in the ICU: Introduction and Applicability of the Aortic Valve Location Ratio.

    PubMed

    Ouweneel, Dagmar M; Sjauw, Krischan D; Wiegerinck, Esther M A; Hirsch, Alexander; Baan, Jan; de Mol, Bas A J M; Lagrand, Wim K; Planken, R Nils; Henriques, José P S

    2016-10-01

    The use of intracardiac assist devices is expanding, and correct position of these devices is required for optimal functioning. The aortic valve is an important landmark for positioning of those devices. It would be of great value if the device position could be easily monitored on plain supine chest radiograph in the ICU. We introduce a ratio-based tool for determination of the aortic valve location on plain supine chest radiograph images, which can be used to evaluate intracardiac device position. Retrospective observational study. Large academic medical center. Patients admitted to the ICU and supported by an intracardiac assist device. We developed a ratio to determine the aortic valve location on supine chest radiograph images. This ratio is used to assess the position of a cardiac assist device and is compared with echocardiographic findings. Supine anterior-posterior chest radiographs of patients with an aortic valve prosthesis (n = 473) were analyzed to determine the location of the aortic valve. We calculated several ratios with the potential to determine the position of the aortic valve. The aortic valve location ratio, defined as the distance between the carina and the aortic valve, divided by the thoracic width, was found to be the best performing ratio. The aortic valve location ratio determines the location of the aortic valve caudal to the carina, at a distance of 0.25 ± 0.05 times the thoracic width for male patients and 0.28 ± 0.05 times the thoracic width for female patients. The aortic valve location ratio was validated using CT images of patients with angina pectoris without known valvular disease (n = 95). There was a good correlation between cardiac device position (Impella) assessed with the aortic valve location ratio and with echocardiography (n = 53). The aortic valve location ratio enables accurate and reproducible localization of the aortic valve on supine chest radiograph. This tool is easily applicable and can be used for

  10. Project W-314 acceptance test report HNF-4643 for HNF-4642 241-AN-A valve pit manifold valves and position indication for project W-314

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    HAMMERS, J.S.

    1999-09-22

    The purpose of the test was to verify that the AN Tank Farm Manifold Valves can be manually manipulated to the required operating position and that the electrical and visual indications accurately reflect that position. Physical locking devices were also verified to function. The Acceptance Test Procedure HNF-4642, 241-AN-A Valve Pit Manifold Valves and Position Indication was conducted between 23 June and 10 August 1999 at the 200E AN Tank Farm. The test has no open test exceptions. The test was conducted prior to final engineering ''as built'' activities being completed, this had an impact on the procedure and testmore » results, ECN 653752 was written to correct the mismatch between the procedure and actual field conditions. P&ID H-14-100941 was changed via ECN-W-314-4C-120. All components, identified in the procedure, were not found to be labeled and identified as written in the procedure, temporary tags were used for operational identification. A retest of valve ANA-WT-V 318 was required because it was removed from its installed position and modified after testing was completed.« less

  11. Health Care–Associated Native Valve Endocarditis in Patients with no History of Injection Drug Use: Current Importance of Non-Nosocomial Acquisition

    PubMed Central

    Benito, Natividad; Miró, José M.; de Lazzari, Elisa; Cabell, Christopher H; del Río, Ana; Altclas, Javier; Commerford, Patrick; Delahaye, Francois; Dragulescu, Stefan; Giamarellou, Helen; Habib, Gilbert; Kamarulzaman, Adeeba; Kumar, A. Sampath; Nacinovich, Francisco M.; Suter, Fredy; Tribouilloy, Christophe; Venugopal, K; Moreno, Asuncion; Fowler, Vance G.

    2013-01-01

    Background The clinical profile and outcome of nosocomial and non-nosocomial health care–associated native valve endocarditis are not well defined. Objective To describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of nosocomial and non-nosocomial health care–associated native valve endocarditis. Design Prospective observational study. Setting 61 hospitals in 28 countries. Patients Patients with definite native valve endocarditis and no history of injection drug use who were enrolled in the International Collaboration on Endocarditis–Prospective Cohort Study from June 2000 to August 2005. Measurements Characteristics of nosocomial and non-nosocomial health care–associated native valve endocarditis cases were described and compared with those cases acquired in the community. Results Health care–associated native valve endocarditis was present in 557 (34%) of 1622 patients with native valve endocarditis and no history of injection drug use (nosocomial native valve endocarditis 303 patients [54%]; non-nosocomial health care–associated native valve endocarditis 254 patients [46%]). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common cause of health care-associated native valve endocarditis (nosocomial native valve endocarditis, 47%; non-nosocomial health care–associated native valve endocarditis, 42%; p=0.3), with a notable proportion of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (nosocomial native valve endocarditis, 57%; non-nosocomial health care–associated native valve endocarditis, 41%; p=0.014). Patients with health care–associated native valve endocarditis had lower rates of cardiac surgery (41% health care–associated native valve endocarditis vs 51% community-acquired native valve endocarditis, p<0.001) and higher in-hospital mortality rates than patients with community-acquired native valve endocarditis (25% health care–associated native valve endocarditis vs. 13% community-acquired native valve endocarditis vs., p<0.001). Multivariable analysis

  12. Vacuum breaker valve assembly

    DOEpatents

    Thompson, J.L.; Upton, H.A.

    1999-04-27

    Breaker valve assemblies for a simplified boiling water nuclear reactor are described. The breaker valve assembly, in one form, includes a valve body and a breaker valve. The valve body includes an interior chamber, and an inlet passage extends from the chamber and through an inlet opening to facilitate transporting particles from outside of the valve body to the interior chamber. The breaker valve is positioned in the chamber and is configured to substantially seal the inlet opening. Particularly, the breaker valve includes a disk which is sized to cover the inlet opening. The disk is movably coupled to the valve body and is configured to move substantially concentrically with respect to the valve opening between a first position, where the disk completely covers the inlet opening, and a second position, where the disk does not completely cover the inlet opening. 1 fig.

  13. Vacuum breaker valve assembly

    DOEpatents

    Thompson, Jeffrey L.; Upton, Hubert Allen

    1999-04-27

    Breaker valve assemblies for a simplified boiling water nuclear reactor are described. The breaker valve assembly, in one form, includes a valve body and a breaker valve. The valve body includes an interior chamber, and an inlet passage extends from the chamber and through an inlet opening to facilitate transporting particles from outside of the valve body to the interior chamber. The breaker valve is positioned in the chamber and is configured to substantially seal the inlet opening. Particularly, the breaker valve includes a disk which is sized to cover the inlet opening. The disk is movably coupled to the valve body and is configured to move substantially concentrically with respect to the valve opening between a first position, where the disk completely covers the inlet opening, and a second position, where the disk does not completely cover the inlet opening.

  14. A New Cone-Shaped Aortic Valve Prosthesis for Orthotopic Position: An Experimental Study in Swine

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sochman, Jan, E-mail: jan.sochman@medicon.c; Peregrin, Jan H.; Pulda, Zdenek

    The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate a newly designed cone-shaped aortic valve prosthesis (CAVP) for one-step transcatheter placement in an orthotopic position. The study was conducted in 15 swine using either the transcarotid (11 animals) or the transfemoral (4 animals) artery approach. A 12- or 13-Fr sheath was inserted via arterial cutdown. The CAVP was deployed under fluoroscopic control and its struts, by design, induced significant native valve insufficiency. CAVP function was evaluated by aortography and aortic pressure curve tracing. In 11 of 15 swine the CAVP was properly deployed and functioned well throughout the scheduled periodmore » of 2-3 h. In three swine the CAVPs were placed lower than intended, however, they were functional even in the left ventricular outflow tract position. One swine expired due to inadvertent low CAVP placement that caused both aortic regurgitation and immobilization of the anterior mitral valve leaflet by the valve struts. We conclude that this design of CAVP is relatively easy to deploy, works well throughout a short time period (2-3 h), and, moreover, seems to be reliable even in a lower-than-orthotopic position (e.g., infra-annulary space). Longer-term studies are needed for its further evaluation.« less

  15. Simulation of personalised haemodynamics by various mounting positions of a prosthetic valve using computational fluid dynamics.

    PubMed

    Bongert, Markus; Geller, Marius; Pennekamp, Werner; Nicolas, Volkmar

    2018-03-03

    Diseases of the cardiovascular system account for nearly 42% of all deaths in the European Union. In Germany, approximately 12,000 patients receive surgical replacement of the aortic valve due to heart valve disease alone each year. A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model based on patient-specific anatomy derived from four-dimensional (4D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data was developed to investigate preoperatively the flow-induced impact of mounting positions of aortic prosthetic valves to select the best orientation for individual patients. Systematic steady-state analysis of blood flow for different rotational mounting positions of the valve is only possible using a virtual patient model. A maximum velocity of 1 m/s was used as an inlet boundary condition, because the opening angle of the valve is at its largest at this velocity. For a comparative serial examination, it is important to define the standardised general requirements to avoid impacts other than the rotated implantation of the prosthetic aortic valve. In this study, a uniform velocity profile at the inlet for the inflow of the aortic valve and the real aortic anatomy were chosen for all simulations. An iterative process, with the weighted parameters flow resistance (1), shear stress (2) and velocity (3), was necessary to determine the best rotated orientation. Blood flow was optimal at a 45° rotation from the standard implantation orientation, which will offer a supply to the coronary arteries.

  16. Transhepatic implant of a trimmed Melody™ valved stent in tricuspid position in a 1-year-old infant.

    PubMed

    Cools, Bjorn; Rega, Filip; Gewillig, Marc

    2017-02-15

    Percutaneous valved stent implantation is precluded in small infants because large delivery sheaths and large devices. We describe a procedure in a 1-year-old boy in whom a 19 mm Epic™ valve in tricuspid position had become dysfunctional. As the internal diameter of the prosthetic valve was about 16 mm, the only available valve was the Melody™ valved stent. Technical modifications were required to address issues like venous access, the bulky delivery system, and the length of the valved stent. The Melody™ valved stent was surgically trimmed and mounted on a 16 mm Tyshak balloon, access was provided transhepatically through a short 18 Fr sheath. After deployment, the intrahepatic route was sealed with two vascular plugs (8 and 10 mm) in tandem. The procedure was uncomplicated with perfect valve function 18 months after implant. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. Pannus Formation Leads to Valve Malfunction in the Tricuspid Position 19 Years after Triple Valve Replacement.

    PubMed

    Alskaf, Ebraham; McConkey, Hannah; Laskar, Nabila; Kardos, Attila

    2016-06-20

    The Medtronic ATS Open Pivot mechanical valve has been successfully used in heart valve surgery for more than two decades. We present the case of a patient who, 19 years following a tricuspid valve replacement with an ATS prosthesis as part of a triple valve operation following infective endocarditis, developed severe tricuspid regurgitation due to pannus formation.

  18. Staphylococcus caprae native mitral valve infective endocarditis.

    PubMed

    Kwok, T'ng Choong; Poyner, Jennifer; Olson, Ewan; Henriksen, Peter; Koch, Oliver

    2016-10-01

    Staphylococcus caprae is a rare cause of infective endocarditis. Here, we report a case involving the native mitral valve in the absence of an implantable cardiac electronic device. A 76-year-old man presented with a 2 week history of confusion and pyrexia. His past medical history included an open reduction and internal fixation of a humeral fracture 17 years previously, which remained non-united despite further revision 4 years later. There was no history of immunocompromise or farm-animal contact. Two sets of blood culture bottles, more than 12 h apart, were positive for S. caprae . Trans-thoracic echocardiography revealed a 1×1.2 cm vegetation on the mitral valve, with moderate mitral regurgitation. Due to ongoing confusion, he had a magnetic resonance imaging brain scan, which showed a subacute small vessel infarct consistent with a thromboembolic source. A humeral SPECT-CT (single-photon emission computerized tomography-computerized tomography) scan showed no clear evidence of acute osteomyelitis. Surgical vegetectomy and mitral-valve repair were considered to reduce the risk of further systemic embolism and progressive valve infection. However, the potential risks of surgery to this patient led to a decision to pursue a cure with antibiotic therapy alone. He remained well 3 months after discharge, with repeat echocardiography demonstrating a reduction in the size of the vegetation (0.9 cm). Management of this infection was challenging due to its rarity and its unclear progression, complicated by the dilemma surrounding surgical intervention in a patient with a complex medical background.

  19. Transcatheter Aortic Valve-in-Valve Procedure in Patients with Bioprosthetic Structural Valve Deterioration

    PubMed Central

    Reul, Ross M.; Ramchandani, Mahesh K.; Reardon, Michael J.

    2017-01-01

    Surgical aortic valve replacement is the gold standard procedure to treat patients with severe, symptomatic aortic valve stenosis or insufficiency. Bioprosthetic valves are used for surgical aortic valve replacement with a much greater prevalence than mechanical valves. However, bioprosthetic valves may fail over time because of structural valve deterioration; this often requires intervention due to severe bioprosthetic valve stenosis or regurgitation or a combination of both. In select patients, transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement. Transcatheter valve-in-valve (ViV) replacement is performed by implanting a transcatheter heart valve within a failing bioprosthetic valve. The transcatheter ViV operation is a less invasive procedure compared with reoperative surgical aortic valve replacement, but it has been associated with specific complications and requires extensive preoperative work-up and planning by the heart team. Data from experimental studies and analyses of results from clinical procedures have led to strategies to improve outcomes of these procedures. The type, size, and implant position of the transcatheter valve can be optimized for individual patients with knowledge of detailed dimensions of the surgical valve and radiographic and echocardiographic measurements of the patient's anatomy. Understanding the complexities of the ViV procedure can lead surgeons to make choices during the original surgical valve implantation that can make a future ViV operation more technically feasible years before it is required. PMID:29743998

  20. Mitral valve replacement with preservation of the subvalvular apparatus.

    PubMed

    Reardon, M J; David, T E

    1999-03-01

    The introduction of the Starr-Edwards valve allowed complete replacement of diseased left-sided heart valves. With improved cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial protection, and surgical techniques the mortality rate from aortic valve replacement decreased substantially, whereas the mortality rate from mitral valve replacement remained high, largely because of low cardiac output syndrome. Increasing use of mitral valve repair techniques resulted in a marked decrease in short-term and long-term morbidity and mortality when treating patients with mitral regurgitation. Some believed that this resulted from maintenance of the mitral annular papillary muscle continuity during mitral valve repair. Subsequent experimental and clinical studies have validated the positive short-term and long-term effects of maintaining the integrity of the mitral valve subvalvular apparatus. This article considers the history of the clinical use of preservation of the subvalvular apparatus, the physiologic studies examining this concept, and the clinical data available on its use. It also examines the following: 1) mitral stenosis versus mitral regurgitation and the preservation of the subvalvular apparatus; 2) whether the anterior, posterior, or both areas of the subvalvular apparatus should be preserved; and 3) the surgical techniques for the preservation of the subvalvular apparatus and valve implantation.

  1. Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture Improves the Hemodynamic Results of Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

    PubMed

    Chhatriwalla, Adnan K; Allen, Keith B; Saxon, John T; Cohen, David J; Aggarwal, Sanjeev; Hart, Anthony J; Baron, Suzanne J; Dvir, Danny; Borkon, A Michael

    2017-07-01

    Valve-in-valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be less effective in small surgical valves because of patient/prosthesis mismatch. Bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) using a high-pressure balloon can be performed to facilitate VIV TAVR. We report data from 20 consecutive clinical cases in which BVF was successfully performed before or after VIV TAVR by inflation of a high-pressure balloon positioned across the valve ring during rapid ventricular pacing. Hemodynamic measurements and calculation of the valve effective orifice area were performed at baseline, immediately after VIV TAVR, and after BVF. BVF was successfully performed in 20 patients undergoing VIV TAVR with balloon-expandable (n=8) or self-expanding (n=12) transcatheter valves in Mitroflow, Carpentier-Edwards Perimount, Magna and Magna Ease, Biocor Epic and Biocor Epic Supra, and Mosaic surgical valves. Successful fracture was noted fluoroscopically when the waist of the balloon released and by a sudden drop in inflation pressure, often accompanied by an audible snap. BVF resulted in a reduction in the mean transvalvular gradient (from 20.5±7.4 to 6.7±3.7 mm Hg, P <0.001) and an increase in valve effective orifice area (from 1.0±0.4 to 1.8±0.6 cm 2 , P <0.001). No procedural complications were reported. BVF can be performed safely in small surgical valves to facilitate VIV TAVR with either balloon-expandable or self-expanding transcatheter valves and results in reduced residual transvalvular gradients and increased valve effective orifice area. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  2. Effects of suture position on left ventricular fluid mechanics under mitral valve edge-to-edge repair.

    PubMed

    Du, Dongxing; Jiang, Song; Wang, Ze; Hu, Yingying; He, Zhaoming

    2014-01-01

    Mitral valve (MV) edge-to-edge repair (ETER) is a surgical procedure for the correction of mitral valve regurgitation by suturing the free edge of the leaflets. The leaflets are often sutured at three different positions: central, lateral and commissural portions. To study the effects of position of suture on left ventricular (LV) fluid mechanics under mitral valve ETER, a parametric model of MV-LV system during diastole was developed. The distribution and development of vortex and atrio-ventricular pressure under different suture position were investigated. Results show that the MV sutured at central and lateral in ETER creates two vortex rings around two jets, compared with single vortex ring around one jet of the MV sutured at commissure. Smaller total orifices lead to a higher pressure difference across the atrio-ventricular leaflets in diastole. The central suture generates smaller wall shear stresses than the lateral suture, while the commissural suture generated the minimum wall shear stresses in ETER.

  3. Scissor thrust valve actuator

    DOEpatents

    DeWall, Kevin G.; Watkins, John C; Nitzel, Michael E.

    2006-08-29

    Apparatus for actuating a valve includes a support frame and at least one valve driving linkage arm, one end of which is rotatably connected to a valve stem of the valve and the other end of which is rotatably connected to a screw block. A motor connected to the frame is operatively connected to a motor driven shaft which is in threaded screw driving relationship with the screw block. The motor rotates the motor driven shaft which drives translational movement of the screw block which drives rotatable movement of the valve driving linkage arm which drives translational movement of the valve stem. The valve actuator may further include a sensory control element disposed in operative relationship with the valve stem, the sensory control element being adapted to provide control over the position of the valve stem by at least sensing the travel and/or position of the valve stem.

  4. Computational Fluid Dynamics Assessment Associated with Transcatheter Heart Valve Prostheses: A Position Paper of the ISO Working Group.

    PubMed

    Wei, Zhenglun Alan; Sonntag, Simon Johannes; Toma, Milan; Singh-Gryzbon, Shelly; Sun, Wei

    2018-04-19

    The governing international standard for the development of prosthetic heart valves is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 5840. This standard requires the assessment of the thrombus potential of transcatheter heart valve substitutes using an integrated thrombus evaluation. Besides experimental flow field assessment and ex vivo flow testing, computational fluid dynamics is a critical component of this integrated approach. This position paper is intended to provide and discuss best practices for the setup of a computational model, numerical solving, post-processing, data evaluation and reporting, as it relates to transcatheter heart valve substitutes. This paper is not intended to be a review of current computational technology; instead, it represents the position of the ISO working group consisting of experts from academia and industry with regards to considerations for computational fluid dynamic assessment of transcatheter heart valve substitutes.

  5. Ross operation using a bovine bioprosthetic valve with autologous pericardial conduit in the pulmonary position.

    PubMed Central

    Urrea, M S; Herrera, V; Rey, A; Vargas, J

    1993-01-01

    Between 1 February 1992 and 1 March 1993, we performed Ross's aortic replacement in 7 men and 4 women with rheumatic heart disease. The patients' ages ranged from 22 to 60 years (mean, 41 years). All 11 patients had aortic valve disease; 2 also had mitral valve disease. In all patients, the right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed using an autologous pericardial conduit containing a bovine cardiac valve bioprosthesis manufactured at our institution. The 2 patients who had mitral valve disease underwent a concomitant mitral valvuloplasty. In 1 patient, minimal aortic regurgitation was documented by means of transesophageal echocardiography immediately after the cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass, but no hemodynamic compromise was noted. In another patient, mediastinal exploration was required for bleeding, 3.5 hours postoperatively. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 16 months (mean, 11.3 months). Results were assessed by means of clinical and transesophageal echocardiographic studies. No infection or technical failure was encountered. No patient died. All patients remain asymptomatic, and follow-up echocardiography has revealed no transaortic or transpulmonary gradient. The Ross operation was chosen for this group of patients because it avoids the use of mechanical valves and subsequent anticoagulant therapy. Most of our patients have a low income and a history of noncompliance with the strict postoperative drug regimen. Although the short-term results have been excellent with the Ross operation and our combination bioprosthesis, long-term evaluation is needed. PMID:8298323

  6. Reaction-space analysis of homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion with varying levels of fuel stratification under positive and negative valve overlap conditions

    DOE PAGES

    Kodavasal, Janardhan; Lavoie, George A.; Assanis, Dennis N.; ...

    2015-10-26

    Full-cycle computational fluid dynamics simulations with gasoline chemical kinetics were performed to determine the impact of breathing and fuel injection strategies on thermal and compositional stratification, combustion and emissions during homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion. The simulations examined positive valve overlap and negative valve overlap strategies, along with fueling by port fuel injection and direct injection. The resulting charge mass distributions were analyzed prior to ignition using ignition delay as a reactivity metric. The reactivity stratification arising from differences in the distributions of fuel–oxygen equivalence ratio (Φ FO), oxygen molar fraction (χ O2) and temperature (T) was determined for threemore » parametric studies. In the first study, the reactivity stratification and burn duration for positive valve overlap valve events with port fuel injection and early direct injection were nearly identical and were dominated by wall-driven thermal stratification. nitrogen oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were negligible for both injection strategies. In the second study, which examined negative valve overlap valve events with direct injection and port fuel injection, reactivity stratification increased for direct injection as the Φ FO and T distributions associated with direct fuel injection into the hot residual gas were positively correlated; however, the latent heat absorbed from the hot residual gas by the evaporating direct injection fuel jet reduced the overall thermal and reactivity stratification. These stratification effects were offsetting, resulting in similar reactivity stratification and burn durations for the two injection strategies. The higher local burned gas temperatures with direct injection resulted in an order of magnitude increase in NO, while incomplete combustion of locally over-lean regions led to a sevenfold increase in CO emissions compared to port fuel injection. The final

  7. Red flag in the emergency department: fracture and primary failure of a prosthetic valve.

    PubMed

    Ozsarac, Murat; Karcioglu, Ozgur; Ayrik, Cuneyt; Bozkurt, Seyran; Turkcuer, Ibrahim; Gumrukcu, Serhat

    2005-07-01

    This case report concerns a patient with fracture and primary dysfunction of a prosthetic valve. A 40-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with a chief complaint of breakthrough pleuritic back pain and shortness of breath. Past surgical history was significant only for an aortic valve replacement and mitral valve replacement performed 16 years prior. The transthoracic echocardiography raised suspicion of prosthesis malposition. The patient was taken to the operating room by cardiothoracic surgeons for valve replacement. Operative findings revealed that a prosthetic valve leaflet in the mitral position had broken off. Primary prosthetic valve failure should not be overlooked in the differential diagnosis of patients with valve replacement and a rapidly deteriorating clinical course. Emergency echocardiography is a guide to convenient diagnosis and management. Early surgical consultation and early reparative surgery might prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

  8. Mechanism of valve failure and efficacy of reintervention through catheterization in patients with bioprosthetic valves in the pulmonary position

    PubMed Central

    Callahan, Ryan; Bergersen, Lisa; Baird, Christopher W; Porras, Diego; Esch, Jesse J; Lock, James E; Marshall, Audrey C

    2017-01-01

    Background: Surgical and transcatheter bioprosthetic valves (BPVs) in the pulmonary position in patients with congenital heart disease may ultimately fail and undergo transcatheter reintervention. Angiographic assessment of the mechanism of BPV failure has not been previously described. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the mode of BPV failure (stenosis/regurgitation) requiring transcatheter reintervention and to describe the angiographic characteristics of the failed BPVs and report the types and efficacy of reinterventions. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective single-center review of consecutive patients who previously underwent pulmonary BPV placement (surgical or transcatheter) and subsequently underwent percutaneous reintervention from 2005 to 2014. Results: Fifty-five patients with surgical (41) and transcutaneous pulmonary valve (TPV) (14) implantation of BPVs underwent 66 catheter reinterventions. The surgically implanted valves underwent fifty reinterventions for indications including 16 for stenosis, seven for regurgitation, and 27 for both, predominantly associated with leaflet immobility, calcification, and thickening. Among TPVs, pulmonary stenosis (PS) was the exclusive failure mode, mainly due to loss of stent integrity (10) and endocarditis (4). Following reintervention, there was a reduction of right ventricular outflow tract gradient from 43 ± 16 mmHg to 16 ± 10 mmHg (P < 0.001) and RVp/AO ratio from 0.8 ± 0.2 to 0.5 ± 0.2 (P < 0.001). Reintervention with TPV placement was performed in 45 (82%) patients (34 surgical, 11 transcatheter) with no significant postintervention regurgitation or paravalvular leak. Conclusion: Failing surgically implanted BPVs demonstrate leaflet calcification, thickness, and immobility leading to PS and/or regurgitation while the mechanism of TPV failure in the short- to mid-term is stenosis, mainly from loss of stent integrity. This can be effectively treated with a catheter-based approach

  9. Sequential transcatheter aortic valve implantation due to valve dislodgement - a Portico valve implanted over a CoreValve bioprosthesis.

    PubMed

    Campante Teles, Rui; Costa, Cátia; Almeida, Manuel; Brito, João; Sondergaard, Lars; Neves, José P; Abecasis, João; M Gabriel, Henrique

    2017-03-01

    Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an important treatment in high surgical risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), whose complications need to be managed promptly. The authors report the case of an 86-year-old woman presenting with severe symptomatic AS, rejected for surgery due to advanced age and comorbidities. The patient underwent a first TAVI, with implantation of a Medtronic CoreValve ® , which became dislodged and migrated to the ascending aorta. Due to the previous balloon valvuloplasty, the patient's AS became moderate, and her symptoms improved. After several months, she required another intervention, performed with a St. Jude Portico ® repositionable self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve. There was a good clinical response that was maintained at one-year follow-up. The use of a self-expanding transcatheter bioprosthesis with repositioning features is a solution in cases of valve dislocation to avoid suboptimal positioning of a second implant, especially when the two valves have to be positioned overlapping or partially overlapping each other. Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  10. VALVE

    DOEpatents

    Arkelyan, A.M.; Rickard, C.L.

    1962-04-17

    A gate valve for controlling the flow of fluid in separate concentric ducts or channels by means of a single valve is described. In one position, the valve sealing discs engage opposed sets of concentric ducts leading to the concentric pipes defining the flow channels to block flow therethrough. In another position, the discs are withdrawn from engagement with the opposed ducts and at the same time a bridging section is interposed therebetween to define concentric paths coextensive with and connecting the opposed ducts to facilitate flow therebetween. A wedge block arrangement is employed with each sealing disc to enable it to engage the ducts. The wedge block arrangement also facilitates unobstructcd withdrawal of the discs out of the intervening space between the sets of ducts. (AEC)

  11. JenaValve.

    PubMed

    Treede, Hendrik; Rastan, Ardawan; Ferrari, Markus; Ensminger, Stephan; Figulla, Hans-Reiner; Mohr, Friedrich-Wilhelm

    2012-09-01

    The JenaValve is a next-generation TAVI device which consists of a well-proven porcine root valve mounted on a low-profile nitinol stent. Feeler guided positioning and clip fixation on the diseased leaflets allow for anatomically correct implantation of the device without rapid pacing. Safety and efficacy of transapical aortic valve implantation using the JenaValve were evaluated in a multicentre prospective study that showed good short and midterm results. The valve was CE-mark released in Europe in September 2011. A post-market registry ensures on-going and prospective data collection in "real-world" patients. The transfemoral JenaValve delivery system will be evaluated in a first-in-man study in the near future.

  12. Aortic valve ochronosis: a rare manifestation of alkaptonuria

    PubMed Central

    Steger, Christina Maria

    2011-01-01

    Alkaptonuric ochronosis is a heritable disorder of tyrosine metabolism, with various systemic abnormalities related to pigment deposition and degeneration of collagen and other tissues, including the heart and aorta. A 65-year-old woman with alkaptonuric ochronosis and a history of four joint replacements required aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis. Operative findings included ochronosis of a partly calcified aortic valve and the aortic intima. The aortic valve was removed at surgery and histologically investigated. Light microscopic examination of the aortic valve revealed intracellular and extracellular deposits of ochronotic pigment and a chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Beside the case representation, the disease history, aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment of aortic valve ochronosis are reviewed. PMID:22689837

  13. Aortic valve ochronosis: a rare manifestation of alkaptonuria.

    PubMed

    Steger, Christina Maria

    2011-07-28

    Alkaptonuric ochronosis is a heritable disorder of tyrosine metabolism, with various systemic abnormalities related to pigment deposition and degeneration of collagen and other tissues, including the heart and aorta. A 65-year-old woman with alkaptonuric ochronosis and a history of four joint replacements required aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis. Operative findings included ochronosis of a partly calcified aortic valve and the aortic intima. The aortic valve was removed at surgery and histologically investigated. Light microscopic examination of the aortic valve revealed intracellular and extracellular deposits of ochronotic pigment and a chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Beside the case representation, the disease history, aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment of aortic valve ochronosis are reviewed.

  14. Check valve

    DOEpatents

    Upton, Hubert Allen; Garcia, Pablo

    1999-08-24

    A check valve for use in a GDCS of a nuclear reactor and having a motor driven disk including a rotatable armature for rotating the check valve disk over its entire range of motion is described. In one embodiment, the check valve includes a valve body having a coolant flow channel extending therethrough. The coolant flow channel includes an inlet end and an outlet end. A valve body seat is located on an inner surface of the valve body. The check valve further includes a disk assembly, sometimes referred to as the motor driven disc, having a counterweight and a disk shaped valve. The disk valve includes a disk base having a seat for seating with the valve body seat. The disk assembly further includes a first hinge pin member which extends at least partially through the disk assembly and is engaged to the disk. The disk valve is rotatable relative to the first hinge pin member. The check valve also includes a motor having a stator frame with a stator bore therein. An armature is rotatably positioned within the stator bore and the armature is coupled to the disk valve to cause the disk valve to rotate about its full range of motion.

  15. Check valve

    DOEpatents

    Upton, H.A.; Garcia, P.

    1999-08-24

    A check valve for use in a GDCS of a nuclear reactor and having a motor driven disk including a rotatable armature for rotating the check valve disk over its entire range of motion is described. In one embodiment, the check valve includes a valve body having a coolant flow channel extending therethrough. The coolant flow channel includes an inlet end and an outlet end. A valve body seat is located on an inner surface of the valve body. The check valve further includes a disk assembly, sometimes referred to as the motor driven disc, having a counterweight and a disk shaped valve. The disk valve includes a disk base having a seat for seating with the valve body seat. The disk assembly further includes a first hinge pin member which extends at least partially through the disk assembly and is engaged to the disk. The disk valve is rotatable relative to the first hinge pin member. The check valve also includes a motor having a stator frame with a stator bore therein. An armature is rotatably positioned within the stator bore and the armature is coupled to the disk valve to cause the disk valve to rotate about its full range of motion. 5 figs.

  16. Dual-latching solenoid-actuated valve assembly

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brudnicki, Myron J. (Inventor); Yang, Jeff (Inventor)

    1994-01-01

    A tube-type shutoff valve is electrically positioned to its open or closed position by a concentric electromagnetic solenoid. The valve is dual latching in that the armature of the solenoid maintains the sliding tube of the valve in an open or closed position by means of permanent magnets which are effective when current is not supplied to the solenoid. The valve may also be actuated manually.

  17. Depressurization valve

    DOEpatents

    Skoda, G.I.

    1989-03-28

    A depressurization valve for use in relieving completely the pressure in a simplified boiling water reactor is disclosed. The normally closed and sealed valve is provided with a valve body defining a conduit from an outlet of a manifold from the reactor through a valve seat. A closing valve disk is configured for fitting to the valve seat to normally close the valve. The seat below the disk is provided with a radially extending annulus extending a short distance into the aperture defined by the seat. The disk is correspondingly provided with a longitudinally extending annulus that extends downwardly through the aperture defined by the seat towards the high pressure side of the valve body. A ring shaped membrane is endlessly welded to the seat annulus and to the disk annulus. The membrane is conformed over the confronted surface of the seat and disk in a C-sectioned configuration to seal the depressurization valve against the possibility of weeping. The disk is held to the closed position by an elongate stem extending away from the high pressure side of the valve body. The stem has a flange configured integrally to the stem for bias by two springs. The first spring acts from a portion of the housing overlying the disk on the stem flange adjacent the disk. This spring urges the stem and attached disk away from the seat and thus will cause the valve to open at any pressure. A second spring-preferably of the Belleville variety-acts on a latch plate surrounding and freely moving relative to the end of the stem. This second spring overcomes the bias of the first spring and any pressure acting upon the disk. This Belleville spring maintains through its spring force the valve in the closed position. At the same time, the latch plate with its freedom of movement relative to the stem allows the stem to thermally expand during valve temperature excursion.

  18. The Melody® valve and Ensemble® delivery system for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement

    PubMed Central

    McElhinney, Doff B; Hennesen, Jill T

    2013-01-01

    The Melody® transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) is a percutaneous valve system designed for the treatment of obstruction and/or regurgitation of prosthetic conduits placed between the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries in patients with congenital heart disease. In 2000, Melody TPV became the first transcatheter valve implanted in a human; in 2006 it became the first transcatheter valve commercially available anywhere in the world; and in 2010 it was launched as the first commercially available transcatheter valve in the United States. In this review, we present the clinical background against which the Melody valve was developed and implemented, introduce the rationale for and challenges of transcatheter valve technology for this population, outline the history and technical details of its development and use, and summarize currently available data concerning the performance of the device. PMID:23834411

  19. Fast-Acting Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wojciechowski, Bogdan V. (Inventor); Pegg, Robert J. (Inventor)

    2003-01-01

    A fast-acting valve includes an annular valve seat that defines an annular valve orifice between the edges of the annular valve seat, an annular valve plug sized to cover the valve orifice when the valve is closed, and a valve-plug holder for moving the annular valve plug on and off the annular valve seat. The use of an annular orifice reduces the characteristic distance between the edges of the valve seat. Rather than this distance being equal to the diameter of the orifice, as it is for a conventional circular orifice, the characteristic distance equals the distance between the inner and outer radii (for a circular annulus). The reduced characteristic distance greatly reduces the gap required between the annular valve plug and the annular valve seat for the valve to be fully open, thereby greatly reducing the required stroke and corresponding speed and acceleration of the annular valve plug. The use of a valve-plug holder that is under independent control to move the annular valve plug between its open and closed positions is important for achieving controllable fast operation of the valve.

  20. Valve assembly for internal combustion engine

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wakeman, R.J.; Shea, S.F.

    1989-09-05

    This patent describes an improvement in a valve assembly for an internal combustion engine of the type including a valve having a valve stem, a valve guideway for mounting this valve for reciprocal strokes between opened and seated position, and spring means for biasing the valve into the seated position. The improvement comprising a valve spool of greater cross-sectional diameter as compared to the valve stem, and a valve spool guideway within which the valve spool is movable during the strokes of the valve, an upper surface of the valve spool and a portion of the spool guideway collectively establishingmore » a damper chamber which varies in volume during the valve strokes. a feed passage for introducing oil into the damper chamber, and a bleed passage for discharging oil from the damper chamber. The bleed passages each laterally opening into the valve spool guideway.« less

  1. Magnetically operated check valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morris, Brian G. (Inventor); Bozeman, Richard J., Jr. (Inventor)

    1994-01-01

    A magnetically operated check valve is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body and a movable poppet disposed therein. A magnet attracts the poppet to hold the valve shut until the force of fluid flow through the valve overcomes the magnetic attraction and moves the poppet to an unseated, open position. The poppet and magnet are configured and disposed to trap a magnetically attracted particulate and prevent it from flowing to a valve seating region.

  2. Magnetically operated check valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morris, Brian G.; Bozeman, Richard J., Jr.

    1994-06-01

    A magnetically operated check valve is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body and a movable poppet disposed therein. A magnet attracts the poppet to hold the valve shut until the force of fluid flow through the valve overcomes the magnetic attraction and moves the poppet to an unseated, open position. The poppet and magnet are configured and disposed to trap a magnetically attracted particulate and prevent it from flowing to a valve seating region.

  3. Natural history of aortic valve disease following intervention for rheumatic mitral valve disease.

    PubMed

    Namboodiri, Narayanan; Remash, Krishnan; Tharakan, Jaganmohan A; Shajeem, Othayoth; Nair, Krishnakumar; Titus, Thomas; Ajitkumar, Valaparambil K; Sivasankaran, Sivasubramonian; Krishnamoorthy, Kavassery M; Harikrishnan, Sivadasan P; Harikrishnan, Madhavankutty S; Bijulal, Sasidharan

    2009-01-01

    A significant proportion of patients who require interventions for rheumatic mitral valve (MV) disease have coexisting aortic valve (AV) disease. To date, little is known of the natural history of AV disease in these patients. The details of a cohort of 200 patients (146 females, 54 males; mean age at MV intervention 30.3 +/- 9.9 years) with rheumatic heart disease were retrospectively reviewed. The patients had undergone an index MV intervention (either closed or balloon mitral valvotomy) or MV replacement between 1994 and 1996, and received long-term regular follow up examinations. The clinical and echocardiographic data at entry and at follow up were noted. Patients were allocated to two groups, based on whether the AV disease was absent (group I, n=98) or present (group II, n=102) at baseline. The AV disease was categorized as thickening only (group IIA), isolated aortic regurgitation (AR) (group IIB), or combined aortic stenosis (AS) and AR (group IIC). No patient had isolated AS at baseline. The mean follow up period was 9.3 +/- 1.07 years; during which 10 patients in group I developed new AV disease, which included AV thickening only (n=2), trivial-mild AR (n=7) and mild AS with trivial AR (n=1). Of 16 patients in group IIA, 11 developed isolated AR, and one patient progressed to have mild AS and AR. Among 69 patients in group IIB, 22 (31.9%) developed AS, and all had either mild (n=8) or moderate (n=14) AR with mild AS. Group IIC included 17 patients with mild combined AV disease at baseline, except for moderate AS and moderate AR in one patient each. Among 16 patients with mild AS in group IIC, six progressed to moderate AS and two to severe AS. AR became moderate in 10 patients and severe in one patient. The two patients who progressed to severe AS requiring AV replacement had mild AS at baseline. No patient who developed new combined AV disease had lesions with severity more than mild AS or moderate AR. On logistic regression analysis of the variables

  4. Dual-Latching, Solenoid-Actuated Tube Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brudnicki, Myron J.

    1993-01-01

    Tube-type shutoff valve electrically positioned to open or closed state by concentric solenoid. Solenoid dual latching: it holds position until changed electrically or manually. In tube valve, central tube slides axially, closing off flow when held against seat and allowing flow when backed away from seat. Simple to balance pressure on seal between seat and sharp edge of tube. With pressure-balanced seal, only small force needed to hold valve in position, regardless of pressure acting on valve.

  5. Overflow control valve

    DOEpatents

    Hundal, Rolv; Kessinger, Boyd A.; Parlak, Edward A.

    1984-07-24

    An overflow control valve for use in a liquid sodium coolant pump tank which valve can be extended to create a seal with the pump tank wall or retracted to break the seal thereby accommodating valve removal. An actuating shaft which controls valve disc position also has cams which bear on roller surfaces to force retraction of a sliding cylinder against spring tension to retract the cylinder from sealing contact with the pump tank.

  6. Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture During Valve-in-valve TAVR: Bench to Bedside

    PubMed Central

    Saxon, John T; Allen, Keith B; Cohen, David J

    2018-01-01

    Valve-in-valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been established as a safe and effective means of treating failed surgical bioprosthetic valves (BPVs) in patients at high risk for complications related to reoperation. Patients who undergo VIV TAVR are at risk of patient–prosthesis mismatch, as the transcatheter heart valve (THV) is implanted within the ring of the existing BPV, limiting full expansion and reducing the maximum achievable effective orifice area of the THV. Importantly, patient–prosthesis mismatch and high residual transvalvular gradients are associated with reduced survival following VIV TAVR. Bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) is as a novel technique to address this problem. During BPV, a non-compliant valvuloplasty balloon is positioned within the BPV frame, and a highpressure balloon inflation is performed to fracture the surgical sewing ring of the BPV. This allows for further expansion of the BPV as well as the implanted THV, thus increasing the maximum effective orifice area that can be achieved after VIV TAVR. This review focuses on the current evidence base for BVF to facilitate VIV TAVR, including initial bench testing, procedural technique, clinical experience and future directions. PMID:29593832

  7. Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture During Valve-in-valve TAVR: Bench to Bedside.

    PubMed

    Saxon, John T; Allen, Keith B; Cohen, David J; Chhatriwalla, Adnan K

    2018-01-01

    Valve-in-valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been established as a safe and effective means of treating failed surgical bioprosthetic valves (BPVs) in patients at high risk for complications related to reoperation. Patients who undergo VIV TAVR are at risk of patient-prosthesis mismatch, as the transcatheter heart valve (THV) is implanted within the ring of the existing BPV, limiting full expansion and reducing the maximum achievable effective orifice area of the THV. Importantly, patient-prosthesis mismatch and high residual transvalvular gradients are associated with reduced survival following VIV TAVR. Bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) is as a novel technique to address this problem. During BPV, a non-compliant valvuloplasty balloon is positioned within the BPV frame, and a highpressure balloon inflation is performed to fracture the surgical sewing ring of the BPV. This allows for further expansion of the BPV as well as the implanted THV, thus increasing the maximum effective orifice area that can be achieved after VIV TAVR. This review focuses on the current evidence base for BVF to facilitate VIV TAVR, including initial bench testing, procedural technique, clinical experience and future directions.

  8. Bidirectional piston valve

    DOEpatents

    Fischer, Harry C.

    1977-01-01

    This invention is a reversing valve having an inlet, an outlet, and an inlet-outlet port. The valve is designed to respond to the introduction of relatively high-pressure fluid at its inlet or, alternatively, of lower-pressure fluid at its inlet-outlet port. The valve includes an axially slidable assembly which is spring-biased to a position where it isolates the inlet and connects the inlet-outlet port to the outlet. The admission of high-pressure fluid to the inlet displaces the slidable assembly to a position where the outlet is isolated and the inlet is connected to the inlet-outlet port. The valve is designed to minimize pressure drops and leakage. It is of a reliable and comparatively simple design.

  9. Depressurization valve

    DOEpatents

    Skoda, George I.

    1989-01-01

    A depressurization valve for use in relieving completely the pressure in a simplified boiling water reactor is disclosed. The normally closed and sealed valve is provided with a valve body defining a conduit from an outlet of a manifold from the reactor through a valve seat. A closing valve disk is configured for fitting to the valve seat to normally close the valve. The seat below the disk is provided with a radially extending annulus extending a short distance into the aperture defined by the seat. The disk is correspondingly provided with a longitudinally extending annulus that extends downwardly through the aperture defined by the seat towards the high pressure side of the valve body. A ring shaped membrane is endlessly welded to the seat annulus and to the disk annulus. The membrane is conformed over the confronted surface of the seat and disk in a C-sectioned configuration to seal the depressurization valve against the possibility of weeping. The disk is held to the closed position by an elongate stem extending away from the high pressure side of the valve body. The stem has a flange configured integrally to the stem for bias by two springs. The first spring acts from a portion of the housing overlying the disk on the stem flange adjacent the disk. This spring urges the stem and attached disk away from the seat and thus will cause the valve to open at any pressure. A second spring--preferably of the Belleville variety--acts on a latch plate surrounding and freely moving relative to the end of the stem. This second spring overcomes the bias of the first spring and any pressure acting upon the disk. This Belleville spring maintains through its spring force the valve in the closed position. At the same time, the latch plate with its freedom of movement relative to the stem allows the stem to thermally expand during valve temperature excursion. The latch plate in surrounding the stem is limited in its outward movement by a boss attached to the stem at the end of

  10. Valve

    DOEpatents

    Cho, Nakwon

    1980-01-01

    A positive acting valve suitable for operation in a corrosive environment is provided. The valve includes a hollow valve body defining an open-ended bore for receiving two, axially aligned, spaced-apart, cylindrical inserts. One insert, designated the seat insert, terminates inside the valve body in an annular face which lies within plane normal to the axis of the two inserts. An elastomeric O-ring seal is disposed in a groove extending about the annular face. The other insert, designated the wedge insert, terminates inside the valve body in at least two surfaces oppositely inclined with respect to each other and with respect to a plane normal to the axis of the two inserts. An elongated reciprocable gate, movable between the two inserts along a path normal to the axis of the two inserts, has a first flat face portion disposed adjacent and parallel to the annular face of the seat insert. The gate has a second face portion opposite to the first face portion provided with at least two oppositely inclined surfaces for mating with respective inclined surfaces of the wedge insert. An opening is provided through the gate which registers with a flow passage through the two inserts when the valve is open. Interaction of the respective inclined surfaces of the gate and wedge insert act to force the first flat face portion of the gate against the O-ring seal in the seat insert at the limits of gate displacement where it reaches its respective fully open and fully closed positions.

  11. Valve for controlling solids flow

    DOEpatents

    Feldman, David K.

    1980-01-01

    A fluidized solids control valve is disclosed that is particularly well adapted for use with a flow of coal or char that includes both large particles and fines. The particles may or may not be fluidized at various times during the operation. The valve includes a tubular body that terminates in a valve seat covered by a normally closed closure plate. The valve body at the seat and the closure plate is provided with aligned longitudinal slots that receive a pivotally supported key plate. The key plate is positionable by an operator in inserted, intermediate and retracted positions respecting the longitudinal slot in the valve body. The key plate normally closes the slot within the closure plate but is shaped and aligned obliquely to the longitudinal slot within the valve body to provide progressively increasing slot openings between the inserted and retracted positions. Transfer members are provided between the operator, key plate and closure plate to move the closure plate into an open position only when the key plate is retracted from the longitudinal slot within the valve body.

  12. Flow metering valve

    DOEpatents

    Blaedel, K.L.

    1983-11-03

    An apparatus for metering fluids at high pressures of about 20,000 to 60,000 psi is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second plates which are positioned adjacent each other to form a valve chamber. The plates are made of materials which have substantially equal elastic properties. One plate has a planar surface area, and the other a recessed surface area defined by periphery and central lips. When the two plates are positioned in adjacent contacting relationship, a valve chamber is formed between the planar surface area and the recessed surface area. Fluid is introduced into the chamber and exits therefrom when a deformation occurs at positions where they no longer form a valve seat. This permits the metering of fluids at high pressures and at slow variable rates. Fluid then exits from the chamber until an applied external force becomes large enough to bring the valve seats back into contact.

  13. Flow metering valve

    DOEpatents

    Blaedel, Kenneth L.

    1985-01-01

    An apparatus for metering fluids at high pressures of about 20,000 to 60,000 psi is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second plates which are positioned adjacent each other to form a valve chamber. The plates are made of materials which have substantially equal elastic properties. One plate has a planar surface area, and the other a recessed surface area defined by periphery and central lips. When the two plates are positioned in adjacent contacting relationship, a valve chamber is formed between the planar surface area and the recessed surface area. Fluid is introduced into the chamber and exits therefrom when a deformation occurs at positions where they no longer form a valve seat. This permits the metering of fluids at high pressures and at slow variable rates. Fluid then exits from the chamber until an applied external force becomes large enough to bring the valve seats back into contact.

  14. Latching Solenoid-Operated Ball Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brudnicki, Myron

    1994-01-01

    Proposed solenoid-operated ball valve latches in open or closed position until energized to change position. Electrical energy consumed only during opening or closing motion. Valve ball contains central channel through which fluid could flow. Made of highly magnetically permeable steel. When appropriate coil(s) energized by brief pulse (or pulses) of electrical current at appropriate polarity, ball rotates clockwise until permanent magnets come to rest against hard stops in housing, and inlet and outlet ports aligned with central channel so fluid flows through valve. Magnets adhere to stops by magnetic attraction, latching valve in open position. To close valve, appropriate coil(s) energized by pulse (or pulses) of appropriate polarity to generate magnetic forces rotating ball counterclockwise until magnets make contact with hard stops, and inlet and outlet ports sealed.

  15. Cryogenic Cam Butterfly Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McCormack, Kenneth J. (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    A cryogenic cam butterfly valve has a body that includes an axially extending fluid conduit formed there through. A disc lug is connected to a back side of a valve disc and has a circular bore that receives and is larger than a cam of a cam shaft. The valve disc is rotatable for a quarter turn within the body about a lug axis that is offset from the shaft axis. Actuating the cam shaft in the closing rotational direction first causes the camming side of the cam of the cam shaft to rotate the disc lug and the valve disc a quarter turn from the open position to the closed position. Further actuating causes the camming side of the cam shaft to translate the valve disc into sealed contact with the valve seat. Opening rotational direction of the cam shaft reverses these motions.

  16. [Percutaneously implantable aortic valve: the JenaValve concept evolution].

    PubMed

    Figulla, Hans R; Ferrari, Markus

    2006-10-01

    Due to the increasing incidence of severe aortic stenosis in old and multimorbid patients, the percutaneous implantation of aortic valve-carrying stents has become an alternative to the surgical replacement of aortic valves. Starting in 1995, the authors developed a self-expanding stent which transferred the necessary forces for anchoring up to the aorta ascendens-a conception taken over from CoreValve. The further improvement of this idea over the past 11 years has led to a self-expanding, relatively short stent-valve system that is reliably positioned in the cusps of the old aortic valve and holds the old valve like a paper clip, thus transferring the holding forces physiologically. As compared to conventional systems, the sophisticated insertion catheter requires further chronic animal tests so as to represent a true alternative to the conventional surgical procedure.

  17. Transcatheter treatment of tricuspid regurgitation by caval valve implantation--experimental evaluation of decellularized tissue valves in central venous position.

    PubMed

    Lauten, Alexander; Laube, Adrian; Schubert, Harald; Bischoff, Sabine; Nietzsche, Sandor; Horstkötter, Kim; Poudel-Bochmann, Bhawana; Franz, Marcus; Lichtenberg, Artur; Figulla, Hans R; Akhyari, Payam

    2015-01-01

    Caval valve implantation has been suggested for transcatheter treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Combining the interventional technique with the promising surgical experience with decellularized valves, we sought to evaluate the functional and structural outcome of decellularized pericardial tissue valves (dTVs) in the low-pressure venous circulation in a chronic model of TR. Sixteen pericardial tissue valves were heterotopically implanted in the inferior and superior vena cava in a sheep model (54-98 kg; median 74.5 kg, n = 8) of severe TR. The devices were assembled using self-expanding nitinol stents and bovine pericardia decellularized by a detergent-based protocol (group dTV; n = 8). Glutaraldehyde-fixed pericardial tissue valves served as control (GaTV, n = 8). After 6 months, device function and structural maturation were analyzed using echocardiographic, histologic, immunohistologic, and electron microscopic approaches. After implantation, cardiac output increased significantly from 3.7 ± 1.1 l/min to 4.8 ± 1.1 l/min (P < 0.05) and competent valve function was verified by angiography. At 6 months, angiographic and echocardiographic evaluation revealed moderate to severe regurgitation in all GaTV. In contrast, five of the eight dTVs functioned well with only minor regurgitation. In these animals, autopsy revealed preserved valve structure with tender leaflets without signs of thrombosis or calcification. Conversely, GaTV showed severe degeneration with large calcification areas. Microscopic and histologic analysis confirmed endothelial repopulation in both valve types. However, additional interstitial reseeding was observed in decellularized valves. In the venous circulation in severe TR, decellularized valves show superior functional performance compared to Ga-fixed tissue valves. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses suggest preserved structural integrity and advanced endothelial and interstitial repopulation with

  18. Noninvasive valve monitor using alternating electromagnetic field

    DOEpatents

    Eissenberg, David M.; Haynes, Howard D.; Casada, Donald A.

    1993-01-01

    One or more electrical coils are carefully located on the outside of a valve body. An alternating current passing through the coil(s) results in an alternating electromagnetic field being transmitted into the valve body and valve internals. The electromagnetic field varies in intensity and polarity in the valve. As the position of a valve internal part is changed, the electromagnetic field throughout the valve body and its internals is altered. A passive receiver coil carefully located on the outside of the valve body detects the intensity of the electromagnetic field at that location as an induced electrical voltage in the coil. With the change in position of the valve internal part, there is a corresponding change in the induced voltage as a result of the alteration in the alternating electromagnetic field at that location. Changes in the voltage provide an indication of the position and motion of valve internals.

  19. Noninvasive valve monitor using alternating electromagnetic field

    DOEpatents

    Eissenberg, D.M.; Haynes, H.D.; Casada, D.A.

    1993-03-16

    One or more electrical coils are carefully located on the outside of a valve body. An alternating current passing through the coil(s) results in an alternating electromagnetic field being transmitted into the valve body and valve internals. The electromagnetic field varies in intensity and polarity in the valve. As the position of a valve internal part is changed, the electromagnetic field throughout the valve body and its internals is altered. A passive receiver coil carefully located on the outside of the valve body detects the intensity of the electromagnetic field at that location as an induced electrical voltage in the coil. With the change in position of the valve internal part, there is a corresponding change in the induced voltage as a result of the alteration in the alternating electromagnetic field at that location. Changes in the voltage provide an indication of the position and motion of valve internals.

  20. Magnetically operated check valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morris, Brian G.; Bozeman, Richard J., Jr.

    1993-03-01

    A magnetically operated check valve is disclosed having, in one aspect, a valve body and a movable poppet disposed therein. A magnet attracts the poppet to hold the valve shut until the force of fluid flow through the valve overcomes the magnetic attraction and moves the poppet to an unseated, open position. The poppet and magnet are configured and disposed to trap a magnetically attracted particulate and prevent it from flowing to a valve seating region.

  1. A shut-off valve for flexible tubing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reyburn, W. W.

    1972-01-01

    Design of light weight valve for flexible tubing is described. Valve is hand operated and provides positive sealing in normally closed position. Diagram is provided to show construction of valve. Principles of operation are explained.

  2. Fast closing valve

    DOEpatents

    Hanson, Clark L.

    1984-01-10

    A valve is provided for protecting the high vacuum of a particle accelera in the event of air leakage, wherein the valve provides an axially symmetrical passage to avoid disturbance of the partical beam during normal operation, and yet enables very rapid and tight closure of the beam-carrying pipe in the event of air leakage. The valve includes a ball member (30) which can rotate between a first position wherein a bore (32) in the member is aligned with the beam pipe, and a second position out of line with the pipe. A seal member (38) is flexibly sealed to the pipe, and has a seal end which can move tightly against the ball member after the bore has rotated out of line with the pipe, to thereby assure that the seal member does not retard rapid rotation of the ball valve member. The ball valve member can be rapidly rotated by a conductive arm (40) fixed to it and which is rotated by the discharge of a capacitor bank through coils (44, 45) located adjacent to the arm.

  3. High-risk Trans-Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement in a Failed Freestyle Valve with Low Coronary Height: A Case Report.

    PubMed

    Karimi, Ashkan; Pourafshar, Negiin; Dibu, George; Beaver, Thomas M; Bavry, Anthony A

    2017-06-01

    A 55-year-old male with a history of two prior cardiac surgeries presented with decompensated heart failure due to severe bioprosthetic aortic valve insufficiency. A third operation was viewed prohibitively high risk and valve-in-valve trans-catheter aortic valve replacement was considered. There were however several high-risk features and technically challenging aspects including low coronary ostia height, poor visualization of the aortic sinuses, and difficulty in identification of the coplanar view due to severe aortic insufficiency, and a highly mobile aortic valve mass. After meticulous peri-procedural planning, trans-catheter aortic valve replacement was carried out with a SAPIEN 3 balloon-expandable valve without any complication. Strategies undertaken to navigate the technically challenging aspects of the case are discussed.

  4. Influence of nano-oxide layers on IrMn pinned bottom spin-valves at different positions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qiu, J. J.; Li, K. B.; Luo, P.; Zheng, Y. K.; Wu, Y. H.

    2004-05-01

    The influence of nano-oxide layer (NOL) inserted at different positions on interlayer coupling (Hin), coercivity of free layer (Hcf), exchange bias (Hex) and MR ratio of IrMn pinned bottom type spin-valves (SV) were studied. Weak antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling was observed in NOL-added SV. The NOL inside pinned layer and after free layer can enhance the MR ratio remarkably. MR of SV with a structure Ta3/NiFe2/IrMn6/CoFe1/NOL/CoFe2.3/Cu2.2/CoFe2.3/AlO reached 18.2%. This is one of the best values ever reported for all-metal single spin-valves.

  5. Engine including hydraulically actuated valvetrain and method of valve overlap control

    DOEpatents

    Cowgill, Joel [White Lake, MI

    2012-05-08

    An exhaust valve control method may include displacing an exhaust valve in communication with the combustion chamber of an engine to an open position using a hydraulic exhaust valve actuation system and returning the exhaust valve to a closed position using the hydraulic exhaust valve actuation assembly. During closing, the exhaust valve may be displaced for a first duration from the open position to an intermediate closing position at a first velocity by operating the hydraulic exhaust valve actuation assembly in a first mode. The exhaust valve may be displaced for a second duration greater than the first duration from the intermediate closing position to a fully closed position at a second velocity at least eighty percent less than the first velocity by operating the hydraulic exhaust valve actuation assembly in a second mode.

  6. Programming jammed Codman Hakim programmable valves: study of an explanted valve and successful programming in a patient.

    PubMed

    Wong, Sui-To; Wen, Eleanor; Fong, Dawson

    2013-08-01

    Malfunction of a Codman Hakim programmable valve due to jamming of its programmable component may necessitate shunt revision. The authors report a method for programming jammed Codman Hakim programmable valves by using a Strata II magnet and additional neodymium magnets. The programming method was derived after studying a jammed valve in the laboratory that was explanted from an 10-year-old boy with a history of fourth ventricle ependymoma. Programming the explanted valve with a Codman programmer failed, but rotating a Strata II magnet above the valve resulted in rotation of the spiral cam in the valve. It was found that the Strata II magnet could be used to program the jammed valve by rotating the magnet 90° or multiples of 90° above the valve. The strength of the magnetic field of the Strata II magnet was able to be increased by putting neodymium magnets on it. The programming method was then successfully used in a patient with a jammed Codman Hakim programmable valve. After successful programming using this method, clinical and radiological follow-up of the patient was advised.

  7. Successful non-surgical treatment of endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus haemolyticus following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

    PubMed

    Loverix, L; Timmermans, P; Benit, E

    2013-01-01

    We describe a case of a 79-year-old male patient with severe aortic stenosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at our institution. He presented at the emergency department with dyspnea and fatigue 7 months after implantation. The diagnosis of early prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) caused by Staphylococcus haemolyticus was made by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and multiple positive blood cultures. Since our patient was considered inoperable due to a history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with patent bypasses, high peri-operative mortality including renal failure and a poor general prognosis, surgical removal of the valve was not an option. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotic therapy.

  8. Absence of posterior tricuspid valve leaflet and valve reconstruction

    PubMed Central

    Komoda, Takeshi; Stamm, Christof; Fleck, Eckart; Hetzer, Roland

    2012-01-01

    We report a rare case of the absence of a posterior tricuspid valve leaflet. A male patient, aged 46, suffering from severe tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) of unknown aetiology and atrial septal aneurysm was referred to our hospital for surgery. On surgical inspection, the posterior tricuspid valve leaflet and its subvalvular apparatus were completely absent and only the valve annulus was seen in the corresponding position. The anterior and septal leaflets were normal. We successfully reconstructed the tricuspid valve as follows: the head of an anterior papillary muscle was approximated to the ventricular septum (Sebening stitch). After the approximation of the centre of the tricuspid annulus of the anterior leaflet to the tricuspid annulus on the opposite side, a sizer of 29 mm in diameter was easily passed through the anterior orifice. The posterior orifice was closed with running sutures (posterior annulorrhaphy after Hetzer). Before these procedures, we attempted to reconstruct the tricuspid valve with a posterior annulorrhaphy alone; however, valve competence was insufficient. A Sebening stitch was necessary to improve the valve competence. Echocardiography showed TR grade 1 at the patient's discharge from hospital and TR grade 1 to 2 at the follow-up, 10 months after the operation. PMID:22419794

  9. The importance of valve alignment in determining the pressure/flow characteristics of differential pressure shunt valves with anti-gravity devices.

    PubMed

    Francel, P C; Stevens, F A; Tompkins, P; Pollay, M

    2001-02-01

    The proper functioning of shunt valves in vivo is dependent on many factors, including the valve itself, the anti-siphon device or ASD (if included), patency of inlet and outlet tubing, and location of the valve. One important, but sometimes overlooked, consideration in valve function is the valve location relative to the tip of the ventricular inlet catheter. As with any pressure measurement, the zero or reference position is an important concept. In the case of shunt valves, the position of the proximal inlet catheter tip is fixed and therefore serves as the reference point for all pressure measurements. This study was conducted to document the importance of this relationship for the pressure/flow characteristics of the shunt valve. We bench-tested differential pressure valves (with integral anti-gravity devices; AGDs) from three manufacturers. Valves were connected to an "infinite" reservoir, and the starting head pressure for each was determined from product inserts. The inlet catheter tip was fixed at this position, and the valve body was moved in relation to the inlet catheter tip. Outflow rates were determined gravimetrically for positions varying between 4 cm above and 8 cm below the inlet catheter tip. All differential pressure valves utilized in this study that contained AGDs showed significant increases in outflow rate as the valve body was moved incrementally below the level of the inlet catheter tip. To allow functioning as a zero-hydrostatic pressure differential pressure valve, the AGD and the inlet catheter tip should be aligned at the same horizontal level.

  10. A Study of Discharge Coefficient in Bileaflet Valves

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2001-10-25

    Granados J. Garcia MA. Luque I. Concha M. “Conservative operation for mitral stenosis with densely fibrosed or partially calcified valves. An eight...for aortic valves, whereas a lower value (around 0.7) has been proposed for valves mounted in the mitralic position, on account of the larger upstream...section; in the mitral position, then, a valve will have a smaller discharge coefficient (or Aeff/A ratio) than in the aortic position. Using dC =1

  11. "Bail out" procedures for malpositioning of aortic valve prosthesis (CoreValve).

    PubMed

    Vavouranakis, Manolis; Vrachatis, Dimitrios A; Toutouzas, Konstantinos P; Chrysohoou, Christina; Stefanadis, Christodoulos

    2010-11-05

    Two techniques for correcting malpositioning occurring during percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR) with the CoreValve ReValving™ System are described in this article. The "Removing and Reinserting Technique" was used in 2 patients, in whom the prosthesis was positioned too high. The "Snare Technique" was used in 1 patient, in whom the prosthesis was implanted too low. In all patients the aortic valve prosthesis was successfully re-implanted. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. 46 CFR 108.444 - Lockout valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... dioxide to discharge in the event of equipment failure during maintenance. (c) The lockout valve design or... extinguishing system, when the valve must be locked in the closed position. (f) Lockout valves added to existing...

  13. Björk-Shiley convexoconcave valves: susceptibility artifacts at brain MR imaging and mechanical valve fractures.

    PubMed

    van Gorp, Maarten J; van der Graaf, Yolanda; de Mol, Bas A J M; Bakker, Chris J G; Witkamp, Theo D; Ramos, Lino M P; Mali, Willem P T M

    2004-03-01

    To assess the relationship between heart valve history and susceptibility artifacts at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain in patients with Björk-Shiley convexoconcave (BSCC) valves. MR images of the brain were obtained in 58 patients with prosthetic heart valves: 20 patients had BSCC valve replacements, and 38 had other types of heart valves. Two experienced neuroradiologists determined the presence or absence of susceptibility artifacts in a consensus reading. Artifacts were defined as characteristic black spots that were visible on T2*-weighted gradient-echo MR images. The statuses of the 20 explanted BSCC valves-specifically, whether they were intact or had an outlet strut fracture (OSF) or a single-leg fracture (SLF)-had been determined earlier. Number of artifacts seen at brain MR imaging was correlated with explanted valve status, and differences were analyzed with nonparametric statistical tests. Significantly more patients with BSCC valves (17 [85%] of 20 patients) than patients with other types of prosthetic valves (18 [47%] of 38 patients) had susceptibility artifacts at MR imaging (P =.005). BSCC valve OSFs were associated with a significantly higher number of artifacts than were intact BSCC valves (P =.01). No significant relationship between SLF and number of artifacts was observed. Susceptibility artifacts at brain MR imaging are not restricted to patients with BSCC valves. These artifacts can be seen on images obtained in patients with various other types of fractured and intact prosthetic heart valves. Copyright RSNA, 2004

  14. Fluid check valve has fail-safe feature

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gaul, L. C.

    1965-01-01

    Check valve ensures unidirectional fluid flow and, in case of failure, vents the downstream fluid to the atmosphere and gives a positive indication of malfunction. This dual valve consists of a master check valve and a fail-safe valve.

  15. Multiple-port valve

    DOEpatents

    Doody, Thomas J.

    1978-08-22

    A multiple-port valve assembly is designed to direct flow from a primary conduit into any one of a plurality of secondary conduits as well as to direct a reverse flow. The valve includes two mating hemispherical sockets that rotatably receive a spherical valve plug. The valve plug is attached to the primary conduit and includes diverging passageways from that conduit to a plurality of ports. Each of the ports is alignable wih one or more of a plurality of secondary conduits fitted into one of the hemispherical sockets. The other hemispherical socket includes a slot for the primary conduit such that the conduit's motion along that slot with rotation of the spherical plug about various axes will position the valve-plug ports in respect to the secondary conduits.

  16. Semi-active compressor valve

    DOEpatents

    Brun, Klaus; Gernentz, Ryan S.

    2010-07-27

    A method and system for fine-tuning the motion of suction or discharge valves associated with cylinders of a reciprocating gas compressor, such as the large compressors used for natural gas transmission. The valve's primary driving force is conventional, but the valve also uses an electromagnetic coil to sense position of the plate (or other plugging element) and to provide an opposing force prior to impact.

  17. The Ross operation: the autologous pulmonary valve in the aortic position.

    PubMed

    Gonzalez-Lavin, L; Robles, A; Graf, D

    1988-03-01

    Aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a pulmonary valve autograft (PVA) was first reported by Donald N. Ross (DNR) in 1967. The expectation of this procedure was to avoid degenerative changes seen in other biological tissue valves such as calcification, attenuation, and rupture of the leaflets. Recent reports by the original investigator's group have confirmed the lack of degenerative changes in PVA. To corroborate their conclusions, the fate of 12 patients undergoing AVR with PVA by one of us (LGL) has been ascertained. From March 1969 to June 1971, 12 patients underwent AVR with PVA. The right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was reconstructed with an aortic homograft valved conduit. The mean age was 42.7 years (range 21 to 52 years). The mean follow-up for 11 hospital survivors is 12.4 years. Three PVA have been replaced; one following infective endocarditis at 13 years, and two at 15 and 73 months due to technical malalignment. There was no evidence of PVA degeneration during histological examination of these explanted PVAs. Six patients are alive and retain the original PVA at 12 years (55%). This analysis corroborates the conclusions of the DNR report and strongly suggests an immunological mechanism in the process of calcification of other biological tissue valves. The Ross operation is advocated for AVR in young patients as valve durability is of paramount importance especially in this group.

  18. 14 CFR 125.137 - Oil valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Oil valves. 125.137 Section 125.137....137 Oil valves. (a) Each oil valve must— (1) Comply with § 125.155; (2) Have positive stops or... the valve. (b) The closing of an oil shutoff means must not prevent feathering the propeller, unless...

  19. 14 CFR 125.137 - Oil valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Oil valves. 125.137 Section 125.137....137 Oil valves. (a) Each oil valve must— (1) Comply with § 125.155; (2) Have positive stops or... the valve. (b) The closing of an oil shutoff means must not prevent feathering the propeller, unless...

  20. 14 CFR 125.137 - Oil valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Oil valves. 125.137 Section 125.137....137 Oil valves. (a) Each oil valve must— (1) Comply with § 125.155; (2) Have positive stops or... the valve. (b) The closing of an oil shutoff means must not prevent feathering the propeller, unless...

  1. 14 CFR 125.137 - Oil valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Oil valves. 125.137 Section 125.137....137 Oil valves. (a) Each oil valve must— (1) Comply with § 125.155; (2) Have positive stops or... the valve. (b) The closing of an oil shutoff means must not prevent feathering the propeller, unless...

  2. 14 CFR 125.137 - Oil valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Oil valves. 125.137 Section 125.137....137 Oil valves. (a) Each oil valve must— (1) Comply with § 125.155; (2) Have positive stops or... the valve. (b) The closing of an oil shutoff means must not prevent feathering the propeller, unless...

  3. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using anatomically oriented, marrow stromal cell-based, stented, tissue-engineered heart valves: technical considerations and implications for translational cell-based heart valve concepts.

    PubMed

    Emmert, Maximilian Y; Weber, Benedikt; Behr, Luc; Sammut, Sebastien; Frauenfelder, Thomas; Wolint, Petra; Scherman, Jacques; Bettex, Dominique; Grünenfelder, Jürg; Falk, Volkmar; Hoerstrup, Simon P

    2014-01-01

    While transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has rapidly evolved for the treatment of aortic valve disease, the currently used bioprostheses are prone to continuous calcific degeneration. Thus, autologous, cell-based, living, tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHVs) with regeneration potential have been suggested to overcome these limitations. We investigate the technical feasibility of combining the concept of TEHV with transapical implantation technology using a state-of-the-art transcatheter delivery system facilitating the exact anatomical position in the systemic circulation. Trileaflet TEHVs fabricated from biodegradable synthetic scaffolds were sewn onto self-expanding Nitinol stents seeded with autologous marrow stromal cells, crimped and transapically delivered into the orthotopic aortic valve position of adult sheep (n = 4) using the JenaValve transapical TAVI System (JenaValve, Munich, Germany). Delivery, positioning and functionality were assessed by angiography and echocardiography before the TEHV underwent post-mortem gross examination. For three-dimensional reconstruction of the stent position of the anatomically oriented system, a computed tomography analysis was performed post-mortem. Anatomically oriented, transapical delivery of marrow stromal cell-based TEHV into the orthotopic aortic valve position was successful in all animals (n = 4), with a duration from cell harvest to TEHV implantation of 101 ± 6 min. Fluoroscopy and echocardiography displayed sufficient positioning, thereby entirely excluding the native leaflets. There were no signs of coronary obstruction. All TEHV tolerated the loading pressure of the systemic circulation and no acute ruptures occurred. Animals displayed intact and mobile leaflets with an adequate functionality. The mean transvalvular gradient was 7.8 ± 0.9 mmHg, and the mean effective orifice area was 1.73 ± 0.02 cm(2). Paravalvular leakage was present in two animals, and central aortic regurgitation due to a

  4. [Pannus Formation Six-years after Aortic and Mitral Valve Replacement with Tissue Valves;Report of a Case].

    PubMed

    Nakamura, Makoto; Muraoka, Arata; Aizawa, Kei; Akutsu, Hirohiko; Kurumisawa, Soki; Misawa, Yoshio

    2015-07-01

    A 77-year-old man presented with exertional dyspnea. He had undergone aortic and mitral valve replacement with tissue valves 6-years earlier. The patient's hemoglobin level was 9.8 g/dl and serum aspartate aminotransferase (70 mU/ml) and lactate dehydrogenase (1,112 mU/ml) were elevated. Echocardiography revealed stenosis of the prosthetic valve in the aortic position with peak flow velocity of 3.8 m/second and massive mitral regurgitation. The patient underwent repeat valve replacement. Pannus formation around both implanted valves was observed. The aortic valve orifice was narrowed by the pannus, and one cusp of the prosthesis in the mitral position was fixed and caused the regurgitation, but they were free from cusp laceration or calcification. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and he continues to do well 14 months after surgery.

  5. Mitral valve disease—morphology and mechanisms

    PubMed Central

    Levine, Robert A.; Hagége, Albert A.; Judge, Daniel P.; Padala, Muralidhar; Dal-Bianco, Jacob P.; Aikawa, Elena; Beaudoin, Jonathan; Bischoff, Joyce; Bouatia-Naji, Nabila; Bruneval, Patrick; Butcher, Jonathan T.; Carpentier, Alain; Chaput, Miguel; Chester, Adrian H.; Clusel, Catherine; Delling, Francesca N.; Dietz, Harry C.; Dina, Christian; Durst, Ronen; Fernandez-Friera, Leticia; Handschumacher, Mark D.; Jensen, Morten O.; Jeunemaitre, Xavier P.; Le Marec, Hervé; Le Tourneau, Thierry; Markwald, Roger R.; Mérot, Jean; Messas, Emmanuel; Milan, David P.; Neri, Tui; Norris, Russell A.; Peal, David; Perrocheau, Maelle; Probst, Vincent; Pucéat, Michael; Rosenthal, Nadia; Solis, Jorge; Schott, Jean-Jacques; Schwammenthal, Ehud; Slaugenhaupt, Susan A.; Song, Jae-Kwan; Yacoub, Magdi H.

    2016-01-01

    Mitral valve disease is a frequent cause of heart failure and death. Emerging evidence indicates that the mitral valve is not a passive structure, but—even in adult life—remains dynamic and accessible for treatment. This concept motivates efforts to reduce the clinical progression of mitral valve disease through early detection and modification of underlying mechanisms. Discoveries of genetic mutations causing mitral valve elongation and prolapse have revealed that growth factor signalling and cell migration pathways are regulated by structural molecules in ways that can be modified to limit progression from developmental defects to valve degeneration with clinical complications. Mitral valve enlargement can determine left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and might be stimulated by potentially modifiable biological valvular–ventricular interactions. Mitral valve plasticity also allows adaptive growth in response to ventricular remodelling. However, adverse cellular and mechanobiological processes create relative leaflet deficiency in the ischaemic setting, leading to mitral regurgitation with increased heart failure and mortality. Our approach, which bridges clinicians and basic scientists, enables the correlation of observed disease with cellular and molecular mechanisms, leading to the discovery of new opportunities for improving the natural history of mitral valve disease. PMID:26483167

  6. Monovalve with integrated fuel injector and port control valve, and engine using same

    DOEpatents

    Milam, David M.

    2001-11-06

    An engine includes an engine casing that defines a hollow piston cavity separated from an exhaust passage and an intake passage by a valve seat. A gas exchange valve member is positioned adjacent the valve seat and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The gas exchange valve member also defines an opening that opens into the hollow piston cavity. A needle valve member is positioned in the gas exchange valve member adjacent a nozzle outlet and is moveable between an inject position and a blocked position. A port control valve member, which has a hydraulic surface, is mounted around the gas exchange valve member and moveable between an intake position and an exhaust position. A pilot valve is moveable between a first position at which the port control hydraulic surface is exposed to a source of high pressure fluid, and a second position at which the port control hydraulic surface is exposed to a source of low pressure fluid.

  7. 49 CFR 236.383 - Valve locks, valves, and valve magnets.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Valve locks, valves, and valve magnets. 236.383... Inspection and Tests § 236.383 Valve locks, valves, and valve magnets. Valve locks on valves of the non-cut-off type shall be tested at least once every three months, and valves and valve magnets shall be...

  8. High-temperature, high-pressure oxygen metering valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Christianson, Rollin C. (Inventor); Lycou, Peter P. (Inventor); Daniel, James A. (Inventor)

    1993-01-01

    A control valve includes a body defining a central cavity arranged between a fluid inlet and outwardly-diverging first and second fluid outlets respectively disposed in a common transverse plane. A valve member is arranged in the cavity for rotation between first and second operating positions where a transverse fluid passage through the valve member alternatively communicates the fluid inlet with one or the other of the fluid outlets. To minimize fluid turbulence when the valve member is rotated to an alternate operating position, the fluid passage has a convergent entrance for maintaining the passage in permanent communication with the fluid inlet as well as an oblong exit opening with spaced side walls for enabling the exit opening to temporarily span the first and second fluid outlets as the valve member is turned between its respective operating positions.

  9. Technical pitfalls and tips for the valve-in-valve procedure

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a viable treatment modality for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and multiple co-morbidities. More recent indications include the use of transcatheter heart valves (THV) to treat degenerated bioprosthetic surgical heart valves (SHV), which are failing due to stenosis or regurgitation. Valve-in-valve (VIV) procedures in the aortic position have been performed with a variety of THV devices, although the balloon-expandable SAPIEN valve platform (Edwards Lifesciences Ltd, Irvine, CA, USA) and self-expandable CoreValve platform (Medtronic Inc., MN, USA) have been used in majority of the patients. VIV treatment is appealing as it is less invasive than conventional surgery but optimal patient selection is vital to avoid complications such as malposition, residual high gradients and coronary obstruction. To minimize the risk of complications, thorough procedural planning is critical. The first step is identification of the degenerated SHV, including its model, size, fluoroscopic appearance. Although label size and stent internal diameter (ID) are provided by the manufacturer, it is important to note the true ID. The true ID is the ID of a SHV after the leaflets are mounted and helps determine the optimal size of THV. The second step is to determine the type and size of the THV. Although this is determined in the majority of the cases by user preference, in certain situations one THV may be more suitable than another. As the procedure is performed under fluoroscopy, the third step is to become familiarized with the fluoroscopic appearance of both the SHV and THV. This helps to determine the landmarks for optimal positioning, which in turn determines the gradients and fixation. The fourth step is to assess the risk of coronary obstruction. This is performed with either aortic root angiography or ECG-gated computerised tomography (CT). Finally, the route of approach must be carefully planned. Once these

  10. 46 CFR 95.15-50 - Lockout valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... the event of equipment failure during maintenance. (c) The lockout valve design or locking mechanism..., when the valve must be locked in the closed position. (f) Lockout valves added to existing systems must...

  11. Dysfunction of an On-X Heart Valve by Pannus.

    PubMed

    Abad, Cipriano; Urso, Stefano; Gomez, Elsa; De la Vega, Maria

    2016-09-01

    A 68-year-old woman with a history of previous double-valve replacement with On-X mechanical heart valves presented with clinical, echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization signs of obstruction of the On-X tricuspid heart valve prosthesis. The patient was successfully reoperated, but at surgery the valve was seen to be invaded by an abnormal overgrowth of pannus that blocked one of the leaflets. A small amount of non-obstructive fresh thrombus was also observed. The valve was successfully replaced with a biological heart valve prosthesis. The patient was discharged home, and is doing well four months after the operation, when echocardiography demonstrated normal function in the tricuspid valve. The present case represents the first ever report of pannus formation and subsequent dysfunction in an On-X heart valve, and also the first case of tricuspid valve malfunction and obstruction using this type of heart valve substitute.

  12. Locking apparatus for gate valves

    DOEpatents

    Fabyan, J.; Williams, C.W.

    A locking apparatus for fluid operated valves having a piston connected to the valve actuator which moves in response to applied pressure within a cylinder housing having a cylinder head, a catch block is secured to the piston, and the cylinder head incorporates a catch pin. Pressure applied to the cylinder to open the valve moves the piston adjacent to the cylinder head where the catch pin automatically engages the catch block preventing further movement of the piston or premature closure of the valve. Application of pressure to the cylinder to close the valve, retracts the catch pin, allowing the valve to close. Included are one or more selector valves, for selecting pressure application to other apparatus depending on the gate valve position, open or closed, protecting such apparatus from damage due to premature closing caused by pressure loss or operational error.

  13. Mixed mode fuel injector with individually moveable needle valve members

    DOEpatents

    Stewart, Chris; Chockley, Scott A.; Ibrahim, Daniel R.; Lawrence, Keith; Tomaseki, Jay; Azam, Junru H.; Tian, Steven Ye; Shafer, Scott F.

    2004-08-03

    A fuel injector includes a homogenous charge nozzle outlet set and a conventional nozzle outlet set controlled respectively, by first and second needle valve members. One of the needle valve members moves to an open position while the other needle valve member remains stationary for a homogeneous charge injection event. The former needle valve member stays stationary while the other needle valve member moves to an open position for a conventional injection event. One of the needle valve members is at least partially positioned in the other needle valve member. Thus, the injector can perform homogeneous charge injection events, conventional injection events, or even a mixed mode having both types of injection events in a single engine cycle.

  14. Electromechanically Actuated Valve for Controlling Flow Rate

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Patterson, Paul

    2007-01-01

    A proposed valve for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid would include an electric-motor-driven ball-screw mechanism for adjusting the seating element of the valve to any position between fully closed and fully open. The motor would be of a type that can be electronically controlled to rotate to a specified angular position and to rotate at a specified rate, and the ball screw would enable accurate linear positioning of the seating element as a function of angular position of the motor. Hence, the proposed valve would enable fine electronic control of the rate of flow and the rate of change of flow. The uniqueness of this valve lies in a high degree of integration of the actuation mechanism with the flow-control components into a single, relatively compact unit. A notable feature of this integration is that in addition to being a major part of the actuation mechanism, the ball screw would also be a flow-control component: the ball screw would be hollow so as to contain part of the main flow passage, and one end of the ball screw would be the main seating valve element. The relationships among the components of the valve are best understood by reference to the figure, which presents meridional cross sections of the valve in the fully closed and fully open positions. The motor would be supported by a bracket bolted to the valve body. By means of gears or pulleys and a timing belt, motor drive would be transmitted to a sleeve that would rotate on bearings in the valve body. A ball nut inside the sleeve would be made to rotate with the sleeve by use of a key. The ball screw would pass through and engage the ball nut. A key would prevent rotation of the ball screw in the valve body while allowing the ball screw to translate axially when driven by the ball nut. The outer surface of the ball screw would be threaded only in a mid-length region: the end regions of the outer surface of the ball screw would be polished so that they could act as dynamic sealing surfaces

  15. Wireless online position monitoring of manual valve types for plant configuration management in nuclear power plants

    DOE PAGES

    Agarwal, Vivek; Buttles, John W.; Beaty, Lawrence H.; ...

    2016-10-05

    In the current competitive energy market, the nuclear industry is committed to lower the operations and maintenance cost; increase productivity and efficiency while maintaining safe and reliable operation. The present operating model of nuclear power plants is dependent on large technical staffs that put the nuclear industry at long-term economic disadvantage. Technology can play a key role in nuclear power plant configuration management in offsetting labor costs by automating manually performed plant activities. The technology being developed, tested, and demonstrated in this paper will enable the continued safe operation of today’s fleet of light water reactors by providing the technicalmore » means to monitor components in plants today that are only routinely monitored through manual activities. The wireless enabled valve position indicators that are the subject of this paper are able to provide a valid position indication available continuously, rather than only periodically. As a result, a real-time (online) availability of valve positions using an affordable technologies are vital to plant configuration when compared with long-term labor rates, and provide information that can be used for a variety of plant engineering, maintenance, and management applications.« less

  16. Wireless online position monitoring of manual valve types for plant configuration management in nuclear power plants

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Agarwal, Vivek; Buttles, John W.; Beaty, Lawrence H.

    In the current competitive energy market, the nuclear industry is committed to lower the operations and maintenance cost; increase productivity and efficiency while maintaining safe and reliable operation. The present operating model of nuclear power plants is dependent on large technical staffs that put the nuclear industry at long-term economic disadvantage. Technology can play a key role in nuclear power plant configuration management in offsetting labor costs by automating manually performed plant activities. The technology being developed, tested, and demonstrated in this paper will enable the continued safe operation of today’s fleet of light water reactors by providing the technicalmore » means to monitor components in plants today that are only routinely monitored through manual activities. The wireless enabled valve position indicators that are the subject of this paper are able to provide a valid position indication available continuously, rather than only periodically. As a result, a real-time (online) availability of valve positions using an affordable technologies are vital to plant configuration when compared with long-term labor rates, and provide information that can be used for a variety of plant engineering, maintenance, and management applications.« less

  17. Mycobacteria and allograft heart valve banking: an international survey.

    PubMed

    Warwick, R M; Magee, J G; Leeming, J P; Graham, J C; Hannan, M M; Chadwick, M; Crook, D W; Yearsley, C P; Rayner, A; Parker, R

    2008-03-01

    Since the 1970s many tissue banks have been testing allograft heart valves (HVs) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Donor selection for low risk of tuberculosis (TB) was introduced in the 1980s and appears to have reduced the risk of TB transmission. Regulatory guidance does not specify testing for TB, but does exclude donors with a recent history of TB. This survey of HV international bank practices revealed variations in donor selection, testing and processing of valves. Participant banks (from Europe and the USA) reported that over a period of 15 years, HV tissues from 38,413 donors were banked and 32,289 donors were tested for TB, none being positive. HV-associated tissue from 27,840 donors was stained and underwent microscopy; none of these were positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTBM) were detected by culture on 24 HVs. It is recommended that HV banks employ donor selection to exclude donors at risk of TB, to culture material for mycobacteria, and to investigate potential sources when clusters of NTBM are found to facilitate corrective and preventative actions.

  18. One-year outcome following biological or mechanical valve replacement for infective endocarditis.

    PubMed

    Delahaye, F; Chu, V H; Altclas, J; Barsic, B; Delahaye, A; Freiberger, T; Gordon, D L; Hannan, M M; Hoen, B; Kanj, S S; Lejko-Zupanc, T; Mestres, C A; Pachirat, O; Pappas, P; Lamas, C; Selton-Suty, C; Tan, R; Tattevin, P; Wang, A

    2015-01-15

    Nearly half of patients require cardiac surgery during the acute phase of infective endocarditis (IE). We describe the characteristics of patients according to the type of valve replacement (mechanical or biological), and examine whether the type of prosthesis was associated with in-hospital and 1-year mortality. Among 5591 patients included in the International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective Cohort Study, 1467 patients with definite IE were operated on during the active phase and had a biological (37%) or mechanical (63%) valve replacement. Patients who received bioprostheses were older (62 vs 54years), more often had a history of cancer (9% vs 6%), and had moderate or severe renal disease (9% vs 4%); proportion of health care-associated IE was higher (26% vs 17%); intracardiac abscesses were more frequent (30% vs 23%). In-hospital and 1-year death rates were higher in the bioprosthesis group, 20.5% vs 14.0% (p=0.0009) and 25.3% vs 16.6% (p<.0001), respectively. In multivariable analysis, mechanical prostheses were less commonly implanted in older patients (odds ratio: 0.64 for every 10years), and in patients with a history of cancer (0.72), but were more commonly implanted in mitral position (1.60). Bioprosthesis was independently associated with 1-year mortality (hazard ratio: 1.298). Patients with IE who receive a biological valve replacement have significant differences in clinical characteristics compared to patients who receive a mechanical prosthesis. Biological valve replacement is independently associated with a higher in-hospital and 1-year mortality, a result which is possibly related to patient characteristics rather than valve dysfunction. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Valve for abrasive material

    DOEpatents

    Gardner, Harold S.

    1982-01-01

    A ball valve assembly for controlling the flow of abrasive particulates including an enlarged section at the bore inlet and an enlarged section at the bore outlet. A refractory ceramic annular deflector is positioned in each of the enlarged sections, substantially extending the useful life of the valve.

  20. Combined pressure regulator and shutoff valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Koch, E. F. (Inventor)

    1974-01-01

    A remotely operable pressure regulator and shutoff valve particularly suited for achieving high resolution and flow control, and positive shutoff is described. The valve is characterized by a spring-loaded ball coaxially aligned with a fluid port to be sealed, a spring-loaded pintle extended through the port into engagement with the ball, for controlling the position, a spring-loaded diaphragm for controlling the position of the pintle, and an axially displaceable spring supported by a movable stop which, in turn, is repositioned by a selectively operable stepper motor. Thus, the pressure-response characteristics for the valve can be varied through a selective repositioning of the stop.

  1. Fast acting multiple element valve

    DOEpatents

    Yang, Jefferson Y. S.; Wada, James M.

    1991-01-01

    A plurality of slide valve elements having plural axial-spaced annular parts and an internal slide are inserted into a bulkhead in a fluid conduit from a downstream side of the bulkhead, locked in place by a bayonet coupling and set screw, and project through the bulkhead into the upstream conduit. Pneumatic lines connecting the slide valve element actuator to pilot valves are brought out the throat of the valve element to the downstream side. Pilot valves are radially spaced around the exterior of the valve to permit the pneumatic lines to be made identical, thereby to minimize adverse timing tolerances in operation due to pressure variations. Ring manifolds surround the valve adjacent respective pilot valve arrangements to further reduce adverse timing tolerances due to pressure variations, the manifolds being directly connected to the respective pilot valves. Position sensors are provided the valve element slides to signal the precise time at which a slide reaches or passes through a particular point in its stroke to initiate a calibrated timing function.

  2. 14 CFR 125.133 - Fuel valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fuel valves. 125.133 Section 125.133 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS....133 Fuel valves. Each fuel valve must— (a) Comply with § 125.155; (b) Have positive stops or suitable...

  3. 14 CFR 125.133 - Fuel valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Fuel valves. 125.133 Section 125.133 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS....133 Fuel valves. Each fuel valve must— (a) Comply with § 125.155; (b) Have positive stops or suitable...

  4. 14 CFR 125.133 - Fuel valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Fuel valves. 125.133 Section 125.133 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS....133 Fuel valves. Each fuel valve must— (a) Comply with § 125.155; (b) Have positive stops or suitable...

  5. 14 CFR 125.133 - Fuel valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Fuel valves. 125.133 Section 125.133 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS....133 Fuel valves. Each fuel valve must— (a) Comply with § 125.155; (b) Have positive stops or suitable...

  6. 14 CFR 125.133 - Fuel valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Fuel valves. 125.133 Section 125.133 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) AIR CARRIERS....133 Fuel valves. Each fuel valve must— (a) Comply with § 125.155; (b) Have positive stops or suitable...

  7. Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture to Facilitate Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Implantation.

    PubMed

    Allen, Keith B; Chhatriwalla, Adnan K; Cohen, David J; Saxon, John T; Aggarwal, Sanjeev; Hart, Anthony; Baron, Suzanne; Davis, J Russell; Pak, Alex F; Dvir, Danny; Borkon, A Michael

    2017-11-01

    Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement is less effective in small surgical bioprostheses. We evaluated the feasibility of bioprosthetic valve fracture with a high-pressure balloon to facilitate valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement. In vitro bench testing on aortic tissue valves was performed on 19-mm and 21-mm Mitroflow (Sorin, Milan, Italy), Magna and Magna Ease (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA), Trifecta and Biocor Epic (St. Jude Medical, Minneapolis, MN), and Hancock II and Mosaic (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN). High-pressure balloons Tru Dilation, Atlas Gold, and Dorado (C.R. Bard, Murray Hill, NJ) were used to determine which valves could be fractured and at what pressure fracture occurred. Mitroflow, Magna, Magna Ease, Mosaic, and Biocor Epic surgical valves were successfully fractured using high-pressures balloon 1 mm larger than the labeled valve size whereas Trifecta and Hancock II surgical valves could not be fractured. Only the internal valve frame was fractured, and the sewing cuff was never disrupted. Manufacturer's rated burst pressures for balloons were exceeded, with fracture pressures ranging from 8 to 24 atmospheres depending on the surgical valve. Testing further demonstrated that fracture facilitated the expansion of previously constrained, underexpanded transcatheter valves (both balloon and self-expanding) to the manufacturer's recommended size. Bench testing demonstrates that the frame of most, but not all, bioprosthetic surgical aortic valves can be fractured using high-pressure balloons. The safety of bioprosthetic valve fracture to optimize valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement in small surgical valves requires further clinical investigation. Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Hydraulically actuated gas exchange valve assembly and engine using same

    DOEpatents

    Carroll, Thomas S.; Taylor, Gregory O.

    2002-09-03

    An engine comprises a housing that defines a hollow piston cavity that is separated from a gas passage by a valve seat. The housing further defines a biasing hydraulic cavity and a control hydraulic cavity. A gas valve member is also included in the engine and is movable relative to the valve seat between an open position at which the hollow piston cavity is open to the gas passage and a closed position in which the hollow piston cavity is blocked from the gas passage. The gas valve member includes a ring mounted on a valve piece and a retainer positioned between the ring and the valve piece. A closing hydraulic surface is included on the gas valve member and is exposed to liquid pressure in the biasing hydraulic cavity.

  9. Valve replacement in children: a challenge for a whole life.

    PubMed

    Henaine, Roland; Roubertie, François; Vergnat, Mathieu; Ninet, Jean

    2012-10-01

    Valvular pathology in infants and children poses numerous challenges to the paediatric cardiac surgeon. Without question, valvular repair is the goal of intervention because restoration of valvular anatomy and physiology using native tissue allows for growth and a potentially better long-term outcome. When reconstruction fails or is not feasible, valve replacement becomes inevitable. Which valve for which position is controversial. Homograft and bioprosthetic valves achieve superior haemodynamic results initially but at the cost of accelerated degeneration. Small patient size and the risk of thromboembolism limit the usefulness of mechanical valves, and somatic outgrowth is an universal problem with all available prostheses. The goal of this article is to address valve replacement options for all four valve positions within the paediatric population. We review current literature and our practice to support our preferences. To summarize, a multitude of opinions and surgical experiences exist. Today, the valve choices that seem without controversy are bioprosthetic replacement of the tricuspid valve and Ross or Ross-Konno procedures when necessary for the aortic valve. On the other hand, bioprostheses may be implanted when annular pulmonary diameter is adequate; if not or in case of right ventricular outflow tract discontinuity, it is better to use a pulmonary homograft with the Ross procedure. Otherwise, a valved conduit. Mitral valve replacement remains the most problematic; the mechanical prosthesis must be placed in the annular position, avoiding oversizing. Future advances with tissue-engineered heart valves for all positions and new anticoagulants may change the landscape for valve replacement in the paediatric population. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  10. Nuclear-radiation-actuated valve. [Patent application; for increasing coolant flow to blanket

    DOEpatents

    Christiansen, D.W.; Schively, D.P.

    1982-01-19

    The present invention relates to a breeder reactor blanket fuel assembly coolant system valve which increases coolant flow to the blanket fuel assembly to minimize long-term temperature increases caused by fission of fissile fuel created from fertile fuel through operation of the breeder reactor. The valve has a valve first part (such as a valve rod with piston) and a valve second part (such as a valve tube surrounding the valve rod, with the valve tube having side slots surrounding the piston). Both valve parts have known nuclear radiation swelling characteristics. The valve's first part is positioned to receive nuclear radiation from the nuclear reactor's fuel region. The valve's second part is positioned so that its nuclear radiation induced swelling is different from that of the valve's first part. The valve's second part also is positioned so that the valve's first and second parts create a valve orifice which changes in size due to the different nuclear radiation caused swelling of the valve's first part compared to the valve's second part. The valve may be used in a nuclear reactor's core coolant system.

  11. Mechanical valve obstruction: Review of diagnostic and treatment strategies

    PubMed Central

    Salamon, Jason; Munoz-Mendoza, Jerson; Liebelt, Jared J; Taub, Cynthia C

    2015-01-01

    Prosthetic valve obstruction (PVO) is a rare but feared complication of mechanical valve replacement. Diagnostic evaluation should focus on differentiating prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) from pannus formation, as their treatment options differ. History of sub-optimal anti-coagulation and post-op time course to development of PVO are useful clinical characteristics in differentiating thrombus from pannus formation. Treatment of PVT is influenced by the patient’s symptoms, valve location, degree of obstruction and thrombus size and may include thrombolysis or surgical intervention. Alternatively, pannus formation requires surgical intervention. The purpose of this article is to review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnostic approach and treatment options for aortic and mitral valve PVO. PMID:26730292

  12. Ferroelectric Fluid Flow Control Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jalink, Antony, Jr. (Inventor); Hellbaum, Richard F. (Inventor); Rohrbach, Wayne W. (Inventor)

    1999-01-01

    An active valve is controlled and driven by external electrical actuation of a ferroelectric actuator to provide for improved passage of the fluid during certain time periods and to provide positive closure of the valve during other time periods. The valve provides improved passage in the direction of flow and positive closure in the direction against the flow. The actuator is a dome shaped internally prestressed ferroelectric actuator having a curvature, said dome shaped actuator having a rim and an apex. and a dome height measured from a plane through said rim said apex that varies with an electric voltage applied between an inside and an outside surface of said dome shaped actuator.

  13. Remote manual operator for space station intermodule ventilation valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Guyaux, James R.

    1996-01-01

    The Remote Manual Operator (RMO) is a mechanism used for manual operation of the Space Station Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) valve and for visual indication of valve position. The IMV is a butterfly-type valve, located in the ventilation or air circulation ducts of the Space Station, and is used to interconnect or isolate the various compartments. The IMV valve is normally operated by an electric motor-driven actuator under computer or astronaut control, but it can also be operated manually with the RMO. The IMV valve RMO consists of a handle with a deployment linkage, a gear-driven flexible shaft, and a linkage to disengage the electric motor actuator during manual operation. It also provides visual indication of valve position. The IMV valve RMO is currently being prepared for qualification testing.

  14. Recurrent pannus formation causing prosthetic aortic valve dysfunction: is excision without valve re-replacement applicable?

    PubMed

    Darwazah, Ahmad K

    2012-06-29

    Prosthetic valve dysfunction at aortic position is commonly caused by pannus formation. The exact etiology is not known. It arises from ventricular aspect of the prosthesis encroaching its leaflets causing stenosis or it may remain localized causing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction without affecting valve function.The difference in location entails different approaches in management. Such a pathology requires surgical excision of the pannus with or without valve re-replacement.A recurrent pannus was observed in a female patient who needed repeated surgical intervention to excise a localized pannus without re-replacement of a well functioning prosthetic valve.Management of our case presents several questions, whether recurrence of pannus is caused by sparing the prosthetic valve, is it simply an exaggeration of an inflammatory healing process in certain individuals or is it ideal to re-replace the valve despite a well preserved function.

  15. Proof-of-Concept Evaluation of the SailValve Self-Expanding Deep Venous Valve System in a Porcine Model.

    PubMed

    Boersma, Doeke; Vink, Aryan; Moll, Frans L; de Borst, Gert J

    2017-06-01

    To evaluate the SailValve, a new self-expanding deep venous valve concept based on a single polytetrafluoroethylene cusp floating up and down in the bloodstream like a sail, acting as a flow regulator and allowing minimal reflux to reduce thrombogenicity. Both iliac veins of 5 pigs were implanted with SailValve devices; the first animal was an acute pilot experiment to show the feasibility of accurately positioning the SailValve via a femoral access. The other 4 animals were followed for 2 weeks (n=2) or 4 weeks (n=2) under a chronic implantation protocol. Patency and valve function were evaluated directly in all animals using ascending and descending phlebography after device placement and at termination in the chronic implant animals. For reasons of clinical relevance, a regimen of clopidogrel and calcium carbasalate was administered. Histological analysis was performed according to a predefined protocol by an independent pathologist. Deployment was technically feasible in all 10 iliac veins, and all were patent directly after placement. No perioperative or postoperative complications occurred. Ascending phlebograms in the follow-up animals confirmed the patency of all valves after 2 or 4 weeks. Descending phlebograms showed full function in 5 of 8 valves. Limited reflux was seen in 1 valve (4-week group), and the function in the remaining 2 valves (2-week group) was insufficient because of malpositioning. No macroscopic thrombosis was noted on histology. Histology in the follow-up groups revealed a progressive inflammatory reaction to the valves. This animal study shows the potential of the SailValve concept with sufficient valve function after adequate positioning and no (thrombogenic) occlusions after short-term follow-up. Future research is essential to optimize valve material and long-term patency.

  16. Noninvasive valve monitor using constant magnetic and/or DC electromagnetic field

    DOEpatents

    Casada, D.A.; Haynes, H.D.

    1993-08-17

    One or more sources of steady magnetic field are carefully located on the outside of a valve body. The constant magnetic field is transmitted into the valve body and valve internals. A magnetic field detector carefully located on the outside of the valve body detects the intensity of the magnetic field at its location. As the position of a valve internal part is changed, there is an alteration in the magnetic field in the valve, and a consequent change in the detected magnetic field. Changes in the detected signal provide an indication of the position and motion of the valve internals.

  17. Noninvasive valve monitor using constant magnetic and/or DC electromagnetic field

    DOEpatents

    Casada, Donald A.; Haynes, Howard D.

    1993-01-01

    One or more sources of steady magnetic field are carefully located on the outside of a valve body. The constant magnetic field is transmitted into the valve body and valve internals. A magnetic field detector carefully located on the outside of the valve body detects the intensity of the magnetic field at its location. As the position of a valve internal part is changed, there is an alteration in the magnetic field in the valve, and a consequent change in the detected magnetic field. Changes in the detected signal provide an indication of the position and motion of the valve internals.

  18. Mechanical valve replacement in congenital heart disease.

    PubMed

    Fiane, A E; Lindberg, H L; Saatvedt, K; Svennevig, J L

    1996-05-01

    Mechanical valves are the prosthesis of choice in valve replacement in children. However, the problem of somatic growth leading to patient-valve mismatch remains present, and the appropriate anticoagulation regimen remains controversial. We present our experience of valve replacement in a young population over 20 years. Between 1972 and 1992, 48 patients (34 males and 14 females), mean age 11.2 years (range 0.4-27.4 years), underwent mechanical valve replacement at our institution. Aortic valve replacement was performed in 28 patients (58.3%), mitral valve replacement in 13 (27.1%), tricuspid valve replacement in six (12.5%) and pulmonary valve replacement in one patient (2.1%). The prostheses used were: St. Jude Medical (n = 2), Björk-Shiley (n = 14), Medtronic Hall (n = 16), Duromedics (n = 2) and CarboMedics (n = 14). Early mortality was 14.3%, 10.7% for aortic valve replacement and 30.8% for mitral valve replacement. Mean follow up for all patients was 8.3 years (range 0-22 years), with a total of 398 patient-years. Seven patients died during the follow up (17.1%). Survival after 10 years, including operative mortality, was 81% for aortic valve replacement, 33% for mitral valve replacement, 83% for tricuspid valve replacement and 100% for pulmonary valve replacement. All patients were anticoagulated with warfarin. In eight patients (16.7%) an antiplatelet drug (aspirin or dipyridamole) was added. Major events included paravalvular leak in six patients (1.5%/pty), valve thrombosis in five (mitral position in two, tricuspid in three) (1.3%/pty) and endocarditis in one patient (0.3%/pty). Minor thromboembolic events occurred in three patients (0.8%/pty) and minor hemorrhagic events in three (0.8%/pty). No patients developed hemolytic anemia and there was no case of structural failure. In our experience, mechanical prostheses in congenital heart disease were associated with significant morbidity and mortality, however long term survival after aortic valve

  19. Recurrent pannus formation causing prosthetic aortic valve dysfunction: Is excision without valve re-replacement applicable?

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Prosthetic valve dysfunction at aortic position is commonly caused by pannus formation. The exact etiology is not known. It arises from ventricular aspect of the prosthesis encroaching its leaflets causing stenosis or it may remain localized causing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction without affecting valve function. The difference in location entails different approaches in management. Such a pathology requires surgical excision of the pannus with or without valve re-replacement. A recurrent pannus was observed in a female patient who needed repeated surgical intervention to excise a localized pannus without re-replacement of a well functioning prosthetic valve. Management of our case presents several questions, whether recurrence of pannus is caused by sparing the prosthetic valve, is it simply an exaggeration of an inflammatory healing process in certain individuals or is it ideal to re-replace the valve despite a well preserved function. PMID:22747790

  20. Shock-operated valve would automatically protect fluid systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Branum, L. W.; Wells, G. H.

    1966-01-01

    Glandless valve shuts down high-pressure fluid systems when severe shock from an explosion or earthquake occurs. The valve uses a pendulum to support the valve closure plug in the open position. When jarred, the valve body is moved relative to the pendulum and the plug support is displaced, allowing the plug to seat and be held by spring pressure.

  1. Sliding-gate valve

    DOEpatents

    Usnick, George B.; Ward, Gene T.; Blair, Henry O.; Roberts, James W.; Warner, Terry N.

    1979-01-01

    This invention is a novel valve of the slidable-gate type. The valve is designed especially for long-term use with highly abrasive slurries. The sealing surfaces of the gate are shielded by the valve seats when the valve is fully open or closed, and the gate-to-seat clearance is swept with an inflowing purge gas while the gate is in transit. A preferred form of the valve includes an annular valve body containing an annular seat assembly defining a flow channel. The seat assembly comprises a first seat ring which is slidably and sealably mounted in the body, and a second seat ring which is tightly fitted in the body. These rings cooperatively define an annular gap which, together with passages in the valve body, forms a guideway extending normal to the channel. A plate-type gate is mounted for reciprocation in the guideway between positions where a portion of the plate closes the channel and where a circular aperture in the gate is in register with the channel. The valve casing includes opposed chambers which extend outwardly from the body along the axis of the guideway to accommodate the end portions of the gate. The chambers are sealed from atmosphere; when the gate is in transit, purge gas is admitted to the chambers and flows inwardly through the gate-to-seat-ring, clearance, minimizing buildup of process solids therein. A shaft reciprocated by an external actuator extends into one of the sealed chambers through a shaft seal and is coupled to an end of the gate. Means are provided for adjusting the clearance between the first seat ring and the gate while the valve is in service.

  2. Improvement of a Pneumatic Control Valve with Self-Holding Function

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dohta, Shujiro; Akagi, Tetsuya; Kobayashi, Wataru; Shimooka, So; Masago, Yusuke

    2017-10-01

    The purpose of this study is to develop a small-sized, lightweight and low-cost control valve with low energy consumption and to apply it to the assistive system. We have developed some control valves; a tiny on/off valve using a vibration motor, and an on/off valve with self-holding function. We have also proposed and tested the digital servo valve with self-holding function using permanent magnets and a small-sized servo motor. In this paper, in order to improve the valve, an analytical model of the digital servo valve is proposed. And the simulated results by using the analytical model and identified parameters were compared with the experimental results. Then, the improved digital servo valve was designed based on the calculated results and tested. As a result, we realized the digital servo valve that can control the flow rate more precisely while maintaining its volume and weight compared with the previous valve. As an application of the improved valve, a position control system of rubber artificial muscle was built and the position control was performed successfully.

  3. Left ventricle to aorta valved conduit for relief of diffuse left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

    PubMed

    Reder, R F; Dimich, I; Steinfeld, L; Litwak, R S

    1977-06-01

    Operative relief of congenital tunnel subaortic stenosis by means of local incision or excision, or both, has generally been unsatisfactory. The use of a valve-bearing conduit between the left ventricular apex and thoracic aorta offers a predictable means of bypassing the left ventricular outflow obstruction. The procedure was used in a 17 year old girl with an excellent hemodynamic result. The history of operative management with diverting plantation of valved conduits in this position have not been defined, but use of these prostheses appears advisable in severe subvalvular, valvular and supravalvular obstructions that are not readily amenable to predictable and safe surgical palliation. The operation may prove useful in selected cases of idiopathic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

  4. Mechanisms of mechanical heart valve cavitation: investigation using a tilting disk valve model.

    PubMed

    He, Z; Xi, B; Zhu, K; Hwang, N H

    2001-09-01

    The induction of mechanical heart valve (MHV) cavitation was investigated using a 27 mm Medtronic Hall (MH27) tilting disk valve. The MH27 valve was mounted in the mitral position of a simulating pulse flow system, and stroboscopic lighting used to visualize cavitation bubbles on the occluder inflow surface at the instant of valve closure. MHV cavitation was monitored using a digital camera with 0.04 mm/pixel resolution sufficient to render the tiny bubbles clearly visible on the computer monitor screen. Cavitation on MH27 valve was classified as five types according to the time, site and shape of the cavitation bubbles. Valve cavitation occurred at the instant of occluder impact with the valve seat at closing. The impact motion was subdivided into three temporal phases: (i) squeezing flow; (ii) elastic collision; and (iii) leaflet rebound. MHV cavitation caused by vortices was found to be initiated by the squeezing jet and/or by the transvalvular leakage jets. By using a tension wave which swept across the occluder surface immediately upon elastic impact, nuclei in the vortex core were expanded to form cavitation bubbles. Analysis of the shape and location of the cavitation bubbles permitted a better understanding of MHV cavitation mechanisms, based on the fluid dynamics of jet vortex and tension wave propagations.

  5. Intermediate results of isolated mitral valve replacement with a Biocor porcine valve.

    PubMed

    Rizzoli, Giulio; Bottio, Tomaso; Vida, Vladimiro; Nesseris, Georgios; Caprili, Luca; Thiene, Gaetano; Gerosa, Gino

    2005-02-01

    We analyzed the intermediate experience, survival, and prosthetic complications of patients who received the Biocor valve, a new-generation porcine valve, in the mitral position. At the University of Padua, between May 1992 and January 2004, 154 consecutive patients (102 female and 52 male patients; mean age, 72.3 +/- 6 years; age range, 37-86 years) received 158 mitral Biocor prostheses (Biocor Industria e Pesguisa Ltda, Belo Horizonte, Brazil). Thirty-five percent of the patients had previous mitral operations, 24% had coronary artery bypass grafting, and 34.6% had other procedures. Median preoperative New York Heart Association class was III. Echocardiography was performed in 75% of the long-term survivors. Follow-up included 609.4 patient-years and was 100% complete, with a median time of 4 patient-years (range, 0.02-11.3 years). At 8 years, 20 (14%) of 142 operative survivors were still at risk. Early mortality was 13.6%. According to univariate analysis, New York Heart Association class III to IV, ejection fraction of less than 40%, urgency, male sex, and coronary artery bypass grafting were significant perioperative risk factors. Eight- and 10-year actuarial survival was 51.1% +/- 5.6% (40 deaths). Eight-year actuarial freedom from valve-related death, thromboembolism, anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, endocarditis, paravalvular leak, and valve-related complications were 85.2% +/- 5%, 85.7% +/- 4.4%, 92.6% +/- 3.7%, 94.1% +/- 3%, 91.8% +/- 3%, and 70.2% +/- 5.7%, respectively. Freedom from structural valve deterioration was 100%. Actual freedom from reoperation was 93.2% +/- 2.2%. By Doppler echocardiography, the peak and mean transprosthetic gradients were 15 +/- 5 mm Hg and 6.3 +/- 3 mm Hg, respectively (mean follow-up, 4.2 +/- 2.7 years). At intermediate follow-up, the Biocor prosthesis in the mitral position showed excellent results in terms of valve durability when compared with other second-generation tissue valves.

  6. [Insight in schizophrenia: relationship to family history, and positive and negative symptoms].

    PubMed

    Danki, Demet; Dilbaz, Nesrin; Okay, Ihsan Tuncer; Telci, Sükran

    2007-01-01

    To determine the level of insight among patients with schizophrenia and to compare sociodemographic and clinical features. The study included 66 patients with schizophrenia based on DSM-IV criteria. A semi-structured sociodemographic instrument, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Schedule for Assessing the Three Components of Insight (SATCI) were used for the study. Family history was significantly related to low-level insight in schizophrenic patients. Positive symptom scores in patients with a family history of schizophrenia were significantly higher than in patients without such a family history. Positive and general psychopathological symptoms were inversely related to level of insight in patients with schizophrenia. There was no significant relationship between the negative symptoms scores and level of insight. Family history of schizophrenia in schizophrenic patients was significantly related to low-level insight. Insight in the schizophrenic patients was affected by biological, psychological, and psychosociological factors. Family history of schizophrenia was one of these factors, which may affect the level of insight in numerous ways. Studies of patient family position and its relationship to insight have generally explored the effects of family situation on schizophrenia and insight, but not family history and its relationship to insight. In this study positive symptom severity was higher in patients with a family history of schizophrenia than in those without such a history. There was a positive relationship between low-level insight and both high positive and general psychopathology symptom levels in patients with schizophrenia.

  7. Non-collinear valve actuator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Richard, James A. (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    A non-collinear valve actuator includes a primary actuating system and a return spring system with each applying forces to a linkage system in order to regulate the flow of a quarter-turn valve. The primary actuating system and return spring system are positioned non-collinearly, which simply means the primary actuating system and return spring system are not in line with each other. By positioning the primary actuating system and return spring system in this manner, the primary actuating system can undergo a larger stroke while the return spring system experiences significantly less displacement. This allows the length of the return spring to be reduced due to the minimization of displacement thereby reducing the weight of the return spring system. By allowing the primary actuating system to undergo longer strokes, the weight of the primary actuating system may also be reduced. Accordingly, the weight of the non-collinear valve actuator is reduced.

  8. Energy dynamics of the intraventricular vortex after mitral valve surgery.

    PubMed

    Nakashima, Kouki; Itatani, Keiichi; Kitamura, Tadashi; Oka, Norihiko; Horai, Tetsuya; Miyazaki, Shohei; Nie, Masaki; Miyaji, Kagami

    2017-09-01

    Mitral valve morphology after mitral valve surgery affects postoperative intraventricular flow patterns and long-term cardiac performance. We visualized ventricular flow by echocardiography vector flow mapping (VFM) to reveal the impact of different mitral valve procedures. Eleven cases of mechanical mitral valve replacement (nine in the anti-anatomical and two in the anatomical position), three bioprosthetic mitral valve replacements, and four mitral valve repairs were evaluated. The mean age at the procedure was 57.4 ± 17.8 year, and the echocardiography VFM in the apical long-axis view was performed 119.9 ± 126.7 months later. Flow energy loss (EL), kinetic pressure (KP), and the flow energy efficiency ratio (EL/KP) were measured. The cases with MVR in the anatomical position and with valve repair had normal vortex directionality ("Clockwise"; N = 6), whereas those with MVR in the anti-anatomical position and with a bioprosthetic mitral valve had the vortex in the opposite direction ("Counterclockwise"; N = 12). During diastole, vortex direction had no effect on EL ("Clockwise": 0.080 ± 0.025 W/m; "Counterclockwise": 0.083 ± 0.048 W/m; P = 0.31) or KP ("Clockwise": 0.117 ± 0.021 N; "Counterclockwise": 0.099 ± 0.057 N; P = 0.023). However, during systole, the EL/KP ratio was significantly higher in the "Counterclockwise" vortex than that in the "Clockwise" vortex (1.056 ± 0.463 vs. 0.617 ± 0.158; P = 0.009). MVP and MVR with a mechanical valve in the anatomical position preserve the physiological vortex, whereas MVR with a mechanical valve in the anti-anatomical position and a bioprosthetic mitral valve generate inefficient vortex flow patterns, resulting in a potential increase in excessive cardiac workload.

  9. Slide valve apparatus for internal combustion engine

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Taylor, B.A.; McMahan, T.O.

    This patent describes an internal combustion engine including a combustion cylinder having an opening at one end thereof, a piston mounted within the cylinder for coaxial reciprocable movement, a driven crankshaft, and a connecting rod connecting the crankshaft to the cylinder for linear reciprocable movement of the piston in response to the rotary movement of the crankshaft, a valve apparatus comprising: (a) a valve chamber extending longitudinally across and in fluid communication with the opening in the cylinder, (b) an intake valve plate having a longitudinal axis mounted within the valve chamber for slidable, reciprocable, longitudinal movement, (c) an exhaustmore » valve plate having a longitudinal axis mounted within the valve chamber alongside the intake valve plate for slidable, reciprocable, longitudinal movement and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intake valve plate, (d) each of the valve plates having a plurality of longitudinally spaced valve ports therein, the valve ports comprising movable intake valve ports in the intake valve plate and movable exhaust valve ports in the exhaust valve plate, (e) the valve chamber comprising a planar wall on the opposite side of the valve plates from the cylinder opening and having a plurality of fixed valve ports therethrough. The fixed valve ports being equal in number and substantially equal in size and spacing as the movable intake and exhaust valve ports, whereby the movable intake valve ports are adapted to register with their corresponding fixed valve ports when the intake valve plate is in its intake operative position for opening fluid communication between the cylinder and the corresponding fixed valve ports.« less

  10. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis.

    PubMed

    Wijesinghe, Namal; Ye, Jian; Rodés-Cabau, Josep; Cheung, Anson; Velianou, James L; Natarajan, Madhu K; Dumont, Eric; Nietlispach, Fabian; Gurvitch, Ronen; Wood, David A; Tay, Edgar; Webb, John G

    2010-11-01

    We evaluated transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in high-risk patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis. TAVI shows promise in the treatment of severe stenosis of triscupid aortic valves, especially in high-risk patients. However, BAV stenosis has been considered a contraindication to TAVI. Eleven patients (age 52 to 90 years) with symptomatic severe BAV stenosis underwent TAVI at 3 Canadian tertiary hospitals between May 2006 and April 2010. All patients were considered high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. Edwards-SAPIEN transcatheter heart valves (Edwards Lifesciences, Inc., Irvine, California) were used. Transfemoral or transapical access was selected, depending on the adequacy of femoral access. Access was transfemoral in 7 patients and transapical in 4 patients. There were no intraprocedural complications. Significant symptomatic and hemodynamic improvement was observed in 10 of 11 patients. Baseline aortic valve area of 0.65 ± 0.17 cm(2) and mean transaortic pressure gradient of 41 ± 22.4 mm Hg were improved to 1.45 ± 0.3 cm(2) and 13.4 ± 5.7 mm Hg, respectively. Two patients had moderate perivalvular leaks. At the 30-day follow-up there were 2 deaths due to multisystem failure in 2 transapical patients. In 1 patient an undersized, suboptimally positioned, unstable valve required late conversion to open surgery. TAVI in selected high-risk patients with severe BAV stenosis can be successfully performed with acceptable clinical outcomes but will require further evaluation. Copyright © 2010 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Evaluation of prosthetic valve obstruction on electrocardiographically gated multidetector-row computed tomography--identification of subprosthetic pannus in the aortic position.

    PubMed

    Ueda, Tomohiro; Teshima, Hideki; Fukunaga, Shuji; Aoyagi, Shigeaki; Tanaka, Hiroyuki

    2013-01-01

    This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic role of electrocardiographically gated multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) for prosthetic valve obstruction (PVO) in the aortic position. Between 2002 and 2006, 9 patients were diagnosed with PVO of an aortic bileaflet mechanical valve based on echocardiographic and cineradiographic criteria. These 9 patients were examined using MDCT before replacement of the mechanical valve, and intraoperative findings were compared to morphologic periprosthetic abnormalities observed on MDCT. CT attenuation (Hounsfield units; HU) of the periprosthetic abnormalities was measured to investigate the underlying cause of the PVO. MDCT showed subprosthetic masses extending beyond the prosthetic ring into the orifice of the valve. At reoperation, presence of subprosthetic pannus was confirmed in all of the 9 patients, but no periprosthetic thrombus was found. The mean CT attenuation of the subprosthetic pannus was 170 HU, and it was significantly greater than that obtained from the interventricular septum (108 HU; P<0.0001). MDCT can be used to clearly visualize subprosthetic pannus causing PVO and the mean CT attenuation of subprosthetic pannus is significantly higher than that of the interventricular septum on MDCT.

  12. TUBE SHEARING VALVE

    DOEpatents

    Wilner, L.B.

    1960-05-24

    Explosive operated valves can be used to join two or more containers in fluid flow relationship, one such container being a sealed reservoir. The valve is most simply disposed by mounting it on the reservoir so thst a tube extends from the interior of the reservoir through the valve body, terminating at the bottom of the bore in a closed end; other containers may be similarly connected or may be open connected, as desired. The piston of the valve has a cutting edge at its lower end which shears off the closed tube ends and a recess above the cutting edge to provide a flow channel. Intermixing of the fluid being transferred with the explosion gases is prevented by a copper ring at the top of the piston which is force fitted into the bore at the beginning of the stroke. Although designed to avoid backing up of the piston at pressures up to 10,000 psi in the transferred fluid, proper operation is independent of piston position, once the tube ends were sheared.

  13. Dynamic Course of Serratia marcescens Pulmonic Valve Endocarditis Resulting in Submassive PE and Valve Replacement.

    PubMed

    Meyer, Chloe Grace; Vacek, Thomas Paul; Bansal, Amit; Gurujal, Ravi; Parikh, Analkumar

    2018-01-01

    This report illustrates a case of a 42-year-old male with a history of intravenous drug abuse who presented with septic shock. Diagnostic studies, including a transthoracic echocardiogram, chest computed tomography angiography, transesophageal echocardiogram, and blood cultures ultimately revealed Serratia marcescens pulmonic valve infective endocarditis that was treated with intravenous antibiotics. In addition to the rare form of endocarditis and bacterium involved, this case brings into awareness the dynamic nature of the hospital course that requires vigilance in responding to hypotensive episodes for consideration of pulmonary embolism. Surgical valve replacement was opted for due to such a complication in addition to the large size of the vegetation, 2.5 cm.

  14. Dual mode fuel injector with one piece needle valve member

    DOEpatents

    Lawrence, Keith E.; Hinrichsen, Michael H.; Buckman, Colby

    2005-01-18

    A fuel injector includes a homogenous charge nozzle outlet set and a conventional nozzle outlet set controlled respectively by inner and outer needle value members. The homogenous charged nozzle outlet set is defined by an outer needle value member that is moveably positioned in an injector body, which defines the conventional nozzle outlet set. The inner needle valve member is positioned in the outer needle valve member. The outer needle valve member is a piece component that includes at least one external guide surface, an external value surface and an internal valve seat.

  15. Annulus fibrosus of the mitral valve: reality or myth.

    PubMed

    Berdajs, Denis; Zünd, Gregor; Camenisch, Colette; Schurr, Ulrich; Turina, Marko I; Genoni, Michele

    2007-01-01

    Surgical repair of the mitral valve is in most cases limited to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve and to the annulus fibrosus. The term annulus fibrosus is still used in anatomical and clinical terminology and is described as a cord like structure providing the attachment of the mitral vale. However, to date no evidence exists of a ring-or cord-like structure at this area. Herein, we describe the attachment of the mitral valve by using the macroscopical and microscopical techniques. The ventricular attachment of the posterior mitral valve leaflet was investigated in 10 human hearts. In dry dissected specimens, the intraventricular illumination was used to identify the attachment of the mitral valve to the left ventricular muscle. Using the histological techniques, we verified the position of the annulus fibrosus. The attachment of the posterior mitral valve leaflet is a band-like structure positioned between the left ventricular muscle and the left atrium. This fibrous band illustrates the morphological attachment of the mitral valve and, as thus, was interpreted as the annulus fibrosus of the mitral valve. Based on our data, no ring-like structure was found corresponding to the anatomical description of the annulus fibrosus, instead the band-like fibrous tissue was identified positioned between the mitral valve and the left ventricle. Histologicaly, we detected that this structure is part of the greater structural system that is directly connected to the membranous septum, to the left and right fibrous trigone and the attachment aortic root to the left ventricular muscle.

  16. Simulation of proportional control of hydraulic actuator using digital hydraulic valves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Raghuraman, D. R. S.; Senthil Kumar, S.; Kalaiarasan, G.

    2017-11-01

    Fluid power systems using oil hydraulics in earth moving and construction equipment have been using proportional and servo control valves for a long time to achieve precise and accurate position control backed by system performance. Such valves are having feedback control in them and exhibit good response, sensitivity and fine control of the actuators. Servo valves and proportional valves are possessing less hysteresis when compared to on-off type valves, but when the servo valve spools get stuck in one position, a high frequency called as jitter is employed to bring the spool back, whereas in on-off type valves it requires lesser technology to retract the spool. Hence on-off type valves are used in a technology known as digital valve technology, which caters to precise control on slow moving loads with fast switching times and with good flow and pressure control mimicking the performance of an equivalent “proportional valve” or “servo valve”.

  17. Transcatheter mitral valve repair in osteogenesis imperfecta associated mitral valve regurgitation.

    PubMed

    van der Kley, Frank; Delgado, Victoria; Ajmone Marsan, Nina; Schalij, Martin J

    2014-08-01

    Osteogenesis imperfecta is associated with increased prevalence of significant mitral valve regurgitation. Surgical mitral valve repair and replacement are feasible but are associated with increased risk of bleeding and dehiscence of implanted valves may occur more frequently. The present case report describes the outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve repair in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta. A 60 year-old patient with osteogenesis imperfecta and associated symptomatic moderate to severe mitral regurgitation underwent transthoracic echocardiography which showed a nondilated left ventricle with preserved systolic function and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation. On transoesophageal echocardiography the regurgitant jet originated between the anterolateral scallops of the anterior and posterior leaflets (A1-P1). Considering the comorbidities associated with osteogenesis imperfecta the patient was accepted for transcatheter mitral valve repair using the Mitraclip device (Abbott vascular, Menlo, CA). Under fluoroscopy and 3D transoesophageal echocardiography guidance, a Mitraclip device was implanted between the anterolateral and central scallops with significant reduction of mitral regurgitation. The postoperative evolution was uneventful. At one month follow-up, transthoracic echocardiography showed a stable position of the Mitraclip device with no mitral regurgitation. Transcatheter mitral valve repair is feasible and safe in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and associated symptomatic significant mitral regurgitation. Copyright © 2014 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Apparatus comprising magnetically actuated valves and uses thereof

    DOEpatents

    Edwards, Thayne L.; Harper, Jason C.

    2016-07-12

    The present invention, in part, relates to an apparatus having a single-use, normally-closed fluidic valve that is initially maintained in the closed position by a valve element bonded to an adhesive coating. The valve is opened using a magnetic force. The valve element includes a magnetic material or metal. In some examples, the valve is opened by bringing a magnet in proximity to the valve element to provide a magnetic force that delaminates the valve element from the adhesive coating. In particular, the apparatus can be useful for on-chip amplification and/or detection of various targets, including biological targets and any amplifiable targets. Such apparatuses and methods are useful for in-field or real-time detection of targets, especially in limited resource settings.

  19. Vortex dynamics in Patient-Specific Stenotic Tricuspid and Bicuspid Aortic Valves pre- and post- Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Replacement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hatoum, Hoda; Dasi, Lakshmi Prasad

    2017-11-01

    Understanding blood flow related adverse complications such as leaflet thrombosis post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) requires a deeper understanding of how patient-specific anatomic and hemodynamic factors, and relative valve positioning dictate sinus vortex flow and stasis regions. High resolution time-resolved particle image velocimetry measurements were conducted in compliant and transparent 3D printed patient-specific models of stenotic bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve roots from patients who underwent TAVI. Using Lagrangian particle tracking analysis of sinus vortex flows and probability distributions of residence time and blood damage indices we show that (a) patient specific modeling provides a more realistic assessment of TAVI flows, (b) TAVI deployment alters sinus flow patterns by significantly decreasing sinus velocity and vorticity, and (c) relative valve positioning can control critical vortex structures that may explain preferential leaflet thrombosis corresponding to separated flow recirculation, secondary to valve jet vectoring relative to the aorta axis. This work provides new methods and understanding of the spatio-temporal aortic sinus vortex dynamics in post TAVI pathology. This study was supported by the Ohio State University DHLRI Trifit Challenge award.

  20. Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation of a CoreValve in a JenaValve prosthesis: a case report.

    PubMed

    Lotfi, Shahram; Becker, Michael; Moza, Ajay; Autschbach, Rüdiger; Marx, Nikolaus; Schröder, Jörg

    2017-09-10

    Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has become an accepted treatment modality for inoperable or high-risk surgical patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. We report the case of a 70-year-old white man who was treated for severe symptomatic aortic regurgitation using transcatheter aortic valve implantation from the apical approach. Because of recurrent cardiac decompensation 4 weeks after implantation he underwent the implantation of a left ventricular assist device system. A year later echocardiography showed a severe transvalvular central insufficiency. Our heart team decided to choose a valve-in-valve approach while reducing the flow rate of left ventricular assist device to minimum and pacing with a frequency of 140 beats/minute. There was an excellent result and our patient is doing well with no relevant insufficiency of the aortic valve at 12-month follow-up. This is the first report about a successful treatment of a stenotic JenaValve using a CoreValve Evolut R; the use of a CoreValve Evolut R prosthesis may be an optimal option for valve-in-valve procedures.

  1. Conical Seat Shut-Off Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Farner, Bruce

    2013-01-01

    A moveable valve for controlling flow of a pressurized working fluid was designed. This valve consists of a hollow, moveable floating piston pressed against a stationary solid seat, and can use the working fluid to seal the valve. This open/closed, novel valve is able to use metal-to-metal seats, without requiring seat sliding action; therefore there are no associated damaging effects. During use, existing standard high-pressure ball valve seats tend to become damaged during rotation of the ball. Additionally, forces acting on the ball and stem create large amounts of friction. The combination of these effects can lead to system failure. In an attempt to reduce damaging effects and seat failures, soft seats in the ball valve have been eliminated; however, the sliding action of the ball across the highly loaded seat still tends to scratch the seat, causing failure. Also, in order to operate, ball valves require the use of large actuators. Positioning the metal-to-metal seats requires more loading, which tends to increase the size of the required actuator, and can also lead to other failures in other areas such as the stem and bearing mechanisms, thus increasing cost and maintenance. This novel non-sliding seat surface valve allows metal-to-metal seats without the damaging effects that can lead to failure, and enables large seating forces without damaging the valve. Additionally, this valve design, even when used with large, high-pressure applications, does not require large conventional valve actuators and the valve stem itself is eliminated. Actuation is achieved with the use of a small, simple solenoid valve. This design also eliminates the need for many seals used with existing ball valve and globe valve designs, which commonly cause failure, too. This, coupled with the elimination of the valve stem and conventional valve actuator, improves valve reliability and seat life. Other mechanical liftoff seats have been designed; however, they have only resulted in

  2. The challenge of valve-in-valve procedures in degenerated Mitroflow bioprostheses and the advantage of using the JenaValve transcatheter heart valve.

    PubMed

    Conradi, Lenard; Kloth, Benjamin; Seiffert, Moritz; Schirmer, Johannes; Koschyk, Dietmar; Blankenberg, Stefan; Reichenspurner, Hermann; Diemert, Patrick; Treede, Hendrik

    2014-12-01

    Recently, the feasibility of valve-in-valve procedures using current first-generation transcatheter heart valves (THV) in cases of structural valve degeneration has been reported as an alternative to conventional open repeat valve replacement. By design, certain biological valve xenografts carry a high risk of coronary ostia occlusion due to lateral displacement of leaflets after valve-in-valve procedures. In the present report we aimed to prove feasibility and safety of transapical valve-in-valve implantation of the JenaValve THV in two cases of degenerated Mitroflow bioprostheses. We herein report two cases of successful transapical valve-in-valve procedures using a JenaValve THV implanted in Sorin Mitroflow bioprostheses for structural valve degeneration. Both patients were alive and in good clinical condition at 30 days from the procedure. However, increased transvalvular gradients were noted in both cases. Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation of a JenaValve THV is a valid alternative for patients with degenerated Mitroflow bioprostheses of sufficient size and in the presence of short distances to the coronary ostia who are too ill for conventional repeat open heart surgery. Increased pressure gradients have to be expected and weighed against the disadvantages of other treatment options when planning such a procedure.

  3. [Radiologic evaluation of the position of the heart and its valves in American mink Mustela vison (Brisson, 1756)].

    PubMed

    Gościcka, D; Krakowiak, E

    1988-01-01

    Resorting to anatomical and radiological methods we have examined the position of the heart and the projection of the heart valves. The costotopy and the ortodiagram of the heart was analyzed. Special attention was paid to the difference between the position of the heart in female and male minks. We have found that in the majority of minks the heart is enclosed between 5 and 8 rib; it is situated with is greater part on the left side of the chest, especially in females.

  4. Self-regulating valve

    DOEpatents

    Humphreys, D.A.

    1982-07-20

    A variable, self-regulating valve having a hydraulic loss coefficient proportional to a positive exponential power of the flow rate. The device includes two objects in a flow channel and structure which assures that the distance between the two objects is an increasing function of the flow rate. The range of spacing between the objects is such that the hydraulic resistance of the valve is an increasing function of the distance between the two objects so that the desired hydraulic loss coefficient as a function of flow rate is obtained without variation in the flow area.

  5. Fault Study of Valve Based on Test Analysis and Comparison

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cheng, Li; Yang, Wukui; Liang, Tao; Xu, Yu; Chen, Chao

    2017-10-01

    The valve of a certain type of small engine often has the fault phenomenon of abnormal vibration noise and can’t close under the specified pressure, which may cause the engine automatic stop because of valve incomplete close leading to fuel leakage during test and startup on the bench. By test study compared to imported valve with the same use function and test condition valve, and put forward the thinking of improving valve structure, compared no-improved valve to improved valve by adopting Fluent field simulation software. As a result, improved valve can restore close pressure of valve, restrain abnormal vibration noise phenomenon, and effectively compensate compression value of spring because of steel ball contacting position downward with valve casing.

  6. Reduced-impact sliding pressure control valve for pneumatic hammer drill

    DOEpatents

    Polsky, Yarom [Oak Ridge, TN; Grubelich, Mark C [Albuquerque, NM; Vaughn, Mark R [Albuquerque, NM

    2012-05-15

    A method and means of minimizing the effect of elastic valve recoil in impact applications, such as percussive drilling, where sliding spool valves used inside the percussive device are subject to poor positioning control due to elastic recoil effects experienced when the valve impacts a stroke limiting surface. The improved valve design reduces the reflected velocity of the valve by using either an energy damping material, or a valve assembly with internal damping built-in, to dissipate the compression stress wave produced during impact.

  7. Axial computed tomography evaluation of the internal nasal valve correlates with clinical valve narrowing and patient complaint.

    PubMed

    Moche, Jason A; Cohen, Justin C; Pearlman, Steven J

    2013-07-01

    The objective of this work was to explore the utility of axial computed tomography (CT) imaging to objectively define a narrow internal nasal valve, and compare those findings with clinical examination and patient complaint. Retrospective review from a single facial plastic surgery center. We reviewed 40 consecutive patients evaluated for either sinusitis or nasal airway obstruction for which a CT scan was obtained at a single radiology institution. Thirty-six complete office records were examined for the presence of clinical internal valve narrowing and complaints of nasal obstruction. In total, 72 internal nasal valves were analyzed using axial plane CT and measurements were compared to clinical findings and presence of airway obstruction. Measured valve areas for clinically normal internal nasal valves averaged 0.47 cm(2) vs 0.28 cm(2) for clinically narrow valves, a decrease of 40.4%. In unobstructed nasal airways the valve area averaged 0.51 cm(2) vs 0.38 cm(2) in obstructed airways, a difference of 25.5%. A radiographically measured valve area of <0.30 cm(2) suggests clinical narrowing with a sensitivity of 71.4%, specificity of 88.9%, positive predictive value of 62.5%, and negative predictive value of 92.3%. Using standard axial CT imaging we describe an objective method of radiographically evaluating the nasal valve, demonstrating strong correlation with physical examination and patient complaint. Additionally, radiographic valve areas can be used to screen for clinically narrow nasal valves with good sensitivity and specificity, providing a novel straightforward method for nasal valve assessment. © 2012 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

  8. Safety valve

    DOEpatents

    Bergman, Ulf C.

    1984-01-01

    The safety valve contains a resilient gland to be held between a valve seat and a valve member and is secured to the valve member by a sleeve surrounding the end of the valve member adjacent to the valve seat. The sleeve is movable relative to the valve member through a limited axial distance and a gap exists between said valve member and said sleeve.

  9. Novel self-expandable, stent-based transcatheter pulmonic valve: a preclinical animal study.

    PubMed

    Kim, Gi Beom; Lim, Hong-Gook; Kim, Yong Jin; Choi, Eun Young; Kwon, Bo Sang; Jeong, Saeromi

    2014-04-15

    Because transcatheter implantation of pulmonary valve is indicated for limited-size dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract only as a balloon-expandable stent, we investigated the feasibility of a large-diameter self-expandable valved stent and the durability of the valve after >6 months. We made a nitinol-wire-based, self-expandable valved stent with leaflets made from porcine pericardium. The porcine pericardium was treated with α-galactosidase, glutaraldehyde, and glycine after decellularization. After cutting the inguinal or cervical area, we implanted a valved stent in 12 sheep through the femoral or jugular vein by using an 18-Fr delivery catheter, controlling the catheter handles and hook block under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance. The mean body weight of sheep was 43.9 kg. We successfully implanted valved stents (diameter: 24 mm in 7 sheep, 26 mm in 5 sheep) in good position in 8 sheep, in the main pulmonary artery (PA) in 2 sheep, and in the right ventricular outlet tract (RVOT) in 2 sheep. We sacrificed 8 sheep (6 sheep in good position, 1 sheep in the main PA, and 1 sheep in the RVOT) after >6 months. Five of the 6 sheep implanted in good position showed well-preserved valve morphology at the time of sacrifice. Histologic findings after routine sacrifice showed well-maintained collagen wave structure and no visible calcification in all explanted valve leaflets. Transcatheter implantation of a nitinol-wire-based, self-expandable valved stent in the pulmonic valve was feasible, and stents implanted in good position showed well-preserved valve leaflets with functional competence in the mid-term results. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Intraoperative echocardiographic detection of regurgitant jets after valve replacement

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morehead, A. J.; Firstenberg, M. S.; Shiota, T.; Qin, J.; Armstrong, G.; Cosgrove, D. M. 3rd; Thomas, J. D.

    2000-01-01

    BACKGROUND: Paravalvular jets, documented by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, have prompted immediate valve explantation by others, yet the significance of these jets is unknown. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients had intraoperative transesophageal two-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography, performed to assess the number and area of regurgitant jets after valve replacement, before and after protamine. Patients were grouped by first time versus redo operation, valve position and type. RESULTS: Before protamine, 55 jets were identified (2.04+/-1.4 per patient) versus 29 jets after (1.07+/-1.2 per patient, p = 0.0002). Total jet area improved from 2.0+/-2.2 cm2 to 0.86+/-1.7 cm2 with protamine (p<0.0001). In all patients jet area decreased (average decrease, 70.7%+/-27.0%). First time and redo operations had similar improvements in jet number and area (both p>0.6). Furthermore, mitral and mechanical valves each had more jets and overall greater jet area when compared to aortic and tissue valves, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Following valve replacement, multiple jets are detected by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. They are more common and larger in the mitral position and with mechanical valves. Improvement occurs with reversal of anticoagulation.

  11. Strut fracture in a Bjork-Shiley aortic valve prosthesis.

    PubMed

    Lifschultz, B D; Donoghue, E R

    1985-10-01

    Strut fracture can be a life-threatening adverse effect of mechanical prosthetic heart valves. This complication has occurred in the DeBakey, the Beall, the Cooley-Cutter and, most recently, the Bjork-Shiley valves. We report the case of a 35-year-old man who died suddenly 16 months after a 60 degree Bjork-Shiley Convexo-Concave heart valve prosthesis was inserted in the aortic position. At autopsy, the two welded attachments of the valve's outlet strut had fractured. The valve's tilting disc was found in his abdominal aorta.

  12. Curved butterfly bileaflet prosthetic cardiac valve

    DOEpatents

    McQueen, David M.; Peskin, Charles S.

    1991-06-25

    An annular valve body having a central passageway for the flow of blood therethrough with two curved leaflets each of which is pivotally supported on an accentric positioned axis in the central passageway for moving between a closed position and an open position. The leaflets are curved in a plane normal to the eccentric axis and positioned with the convex side of the leaflets facing each other when the leaflets are in the open position. Various parameters such as the curvature of the leaflets, the location of the eccentric axis, and the maximum opening angle of the leaflets are optimized according to the following performance criteria: maximize the minimum peak velocity through the valve, maximize the net stroke volume, and minimize the mean forward pressure difference, thereby reducing thrombosis and improving the hemodynamic performance.

  13. Modification and performance evaluation of a mono-valve engine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Behrens, Justin W.

    A four-stroke engine utilizing one tappet valve for both the intake and exhaust gas exchange processes has been built and evaluated. The engine operates under its own power, but has a reduced power capacity than the conventional 2-valve engine. The reduction in power is traced to higher than expected amounts of exhaust gases flowing back into the intake system. Design changes to the cylinder head will fix the back flow problems, but the future capacity of mono-valve engine technology cannot be estimated. The back flow of exhaust gases increases the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate and deteriorates combustion. Intake pressure data shows the mono-valve engine requires an advanced intake valve closing (IVC) time to prevent back flow of charge air. A single actuation camshaft with advanced IVC was tested in the mono-valve engine, and was found to improve exhaust scavenging at TDC and nearly eliminated all charge air back flow at IVC. The optimum IVC timing is shown to be approximately 30 crank angle degrees after BDC. The mono-valve cylinder head utilizes a rotary valve positioned above the tappet valve. The open spaces inside the rotary valveand between the rotary valve and tappet valve represent a common volume that needs to be reduced in order to reduce the base EGR rate. Multiple rotary valve configurations were tested, and the size of the common volume was found to have no effect on back flow but a direct effect on the EGR rate and engine performance. The position of the rotary valve with respect to crank angle has a direct effect on the scavenging process. Optimum scavenging occurs when the intake port is opened just after TDC.

  14. Fracturing mechanics before valve-in-valve therapy of small aortic bioprosthetic heart valves.

    PubMed

    Johansen, Peter; Engholt, Henrik; Tang, Mariann; Nybo, Rasmus F; Rasmussen, Per D; Nielsen-Kudsk, Jens Erik

    2017-10-13

    Patients with degraded bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV) who are not candidates for valve replacement may benefit from transcatheter valve-in-valve (VIV) therapy. However, in smaller-sized surgical BHV the resultant orifice may become too narrow. To overcome this, the valve frame can be fractured by a high-pressure balloon prior to VIV. However, knowledge on fracture pressures and mechanics are prerequisites. The aim of this study was to identify the fracture pressures needed in BHV, and to describe the fracture mechanics. Commonly used BHV of small sizes were mounted on a high-pressure balloon situated in a biplane fluoroscopic system with a high-speed camera. The instant of fracture was captured along with the balloon pressure. The valves were inspected for material protrusion and later dissected for fracture zone investigation and description. The valves with a polymer frame fractured at a lower pressure (8-10 atm) than those with a metal stent (19-26 atm). None of the fractured valves had elements protruding. VIV procedures in small-sized BHV may be performed after prior fracture of the valve frame by high-pressure balloon dilatation. This study provides tentative guidelines for expected balloon sizes and pressures for valve fracturing.

  15. Large Scale Magnetostrictive Valve Actuator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Richard, James A.; Holleman, Elizabeth; Eddleman, David

    2008-01-01

    Marshall Space Flight Center's Valves, Actuators and Ducts Design and Development Branch developed a large scale magnetostrictive valve actuator. The potential advantages of this technology are faster, more efficient valve actuators that consume less power and provide precise position control and deliver higher flow rates than conventional solenoid valves. Magnetostrictive materials change dimensions when a magnetic field is applied; this property is referred to as magnetostriction. Magnetostriction is caused by the alignment of the magnetic domains in the material s crystalline structure and the applied magnetic field lines. Typically, the material changes shape by elongating in the axial direction and constricting in the radial direction, resulting in no net change in volume. All hardware and testing is complete. This paper will discuss: the potential applications of the technology; overview of the as built actuator design; discuss problems that were uncovered during the development testing; review test data and evaluate weaknesses of the design; and discuss areas for improvement for future work. This actuator holds promises of a low power, high load, proportionally controlled actuator for valves requiring 440 to 1500 newtons load.

  16. [Periodontal microbiota and microorganisms isolated from heart valves in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery in a clinic in Cali, Colombia].

    PubMed

    Moreno, Sandra; Parra, Beatriz; Botero, Javier E; Moreno, Freddy; Vásquez, Daniel; Fernández, Hugo; Alba, Sandra; Gallego, Sara; Castillo, Gilberto; Contreras, Adolfo

    2017-12-01

    Periodontitis is an infectious disease that affects the support tissue of the teeth and it is associated with different systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Microbiological studies facilitate the detection of microorganisms from subgingival and cardiovascular samples. To describe the cultivable periodontal microbiota and the presence of microorganisms in heart valves from patients undergoing valve replacement surgery in a clinic in Cali. We analyzed 30 subgingival and valvular tissue samples by means of two-phase culture medium, supplemented blood agar and trypticase soy agar with antibiotics. Conventional PCR was performed on samples of valve tissue. The periodontal pathogens isolated from periodontal pockets were: Fusobacterium nucleatum (50%), Prevotella intermedia/ nigrescens (40%), Campylobacter rectus (40%), Eikenella corrodens (36.7%), Gram negative enteric bacilli (36.7%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (33.3%), and Eubacterium spp. (33.3%). The pathogens isolated from the aortic valve were Propionibacterium acnes (12%), Gram negative enteric bacilli (8%), Bacteroides merdae (4%), and Clostridium bifermentans (4%), and from the mitral valve we isolated P. acnes and Clostridium beijerinckii. Conventional PCR did not return positive results for oral pathogens and bacterial DNA was detected only in two samples. Periodontal microbiota of patients undergoing surgery for heart valve replacement consisted of species of Gram-negative bacteria that have been associated with infections in extraoral tissues. However, there is no evidence of the presence of periodontal pathogens in valve tissue, because even though there were valve and subgingival samples positive for Gram-negative enteric bacilli, it is not possible to maintain they corresponded to the same phylogenetic origin.

  17. Percutaneous re-revalvulation of the tricuspid valve.

    PubMed

    Gewillig, Marc; Dubois, Christophe

    2011-04-01

    We report a successful percutaneous revalvulation of a dysfunctional tricuspid bioprothesis in an 8-year-old child. Five years after implanting a 25-mm Carpentier-Edwards valve in the tricuspid position, the prosthesis showed significant dysfunction with clinical right heart failure. A 26-mm Edwards-Sapien XT inverted aortic valve was successfully implanted through a 19F sheath using a jugular approach. Such procedure can significantly postpone the need for surgical replacement of a biological valve. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  18. Long-term performance of the Hancock bioprosthetic valved conduit in the aortic root position.

    PubMed

    Badiu, Catalin C; Bleiziffer, Sabine; Eichinger, Walter B; Hettich, Ina; Krane, Markus; Bauernschmitt, Robert; Lange, Rüdiger

    2011-03-01

    The study aim was to assess long-term morbidity and mortality with special regard to prosthesis durability after aortic root replacement with the Hancock bioprosthetic porcine conduit. Between 1975 and 2004, a total of 81 patients (55 males, 26 females; mean age 58 +/- 18 years) underwent aortic root replacement with the Hancock conduit for aortic dissection (n = 22; 27%), ascending aortic aneurysm (n = 57; 70%), or porcelain aorta (n = 2; 3%). Twenty-five patients (31%) underwent an emergency operation, 12 (15%) presented with Marfan syndrome, and eight (10%) had undergone previous cardiac surgery. Concomitant procedures were performed in 26 cases (32%). The follow up was 98% complete; the mean follow up was 4.8 +/- 4.0 years (range: 1 day to 16.7 years), and the cumulative follow up was 403 patient-years. Actuarial event-free rates were calculated, and valve-related complications classified according to guidelines for reporting morbidity and mortality after cardiac valvular operations. There were seven (9%) operative deaths and four (5%) in-hospital deaths. Actuarial survival rates at five and 10 years (excluding operative deaths) were 77.0 +/- 5.3% and 54.0 +/- 7.5%, respectively. Actuarial freedom from aortic valve reoperation at five and 10 years was 98 +/- 1.6% and 64 +/- 10.2%, from structural valve deterioration 88.1 +/- 4.7% and 49.9 +/- 9.6%, from thromboembolic events 87.4 +/- 4.6% and 75.1 +/- 9.5%, and from major bleeding events 90.2 +/- 3.9% and 75.4 +/- 8.1%, respectively. Among redo procedures, the stentless Hancock valve could be excised without separating the synthetic graft from the left ventricular outflow tract, and a stented valve prosthesis thus implanted. Hence, it was possible to avoid a second Bentall operation. The long-term survival rates after aortic root replacement with the bioprosthetic Hancock conduit were reasonable for this demanding patient cohort. However, the durability of the prosthesis was inferior to that reported for the

  19. Influence of aortic valve leaflet calcification on dynamic aortic valve motion assessed by cardiac computed tomography.

    PubMed

    Minami, Keisuke; Yoneyama, Kihei; Izumo, Masaki; Suzuki, Kengo; Ogawa, Yasuyoshi; Chikaraishi, Kousuke; Ogawa, Yukihisa; Kobayashi, Yasuyuki; Furukawa, Toshiyuki; Tanabe, Yasuhiro; Akashi, Yoshihiro J

    Computed tomography is the best noninvasive imaging modality for evaluating valve leaflet calcification. To evaluate the association of aortic valve leaflet calcification with instantaneous valve opening and closing using dynamic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). We retrospectively evaluated 58 consecutive patients who underwent dynamic MDCT imaging. Aortic valve calcification (AVC) was quantified using the Agatston method. The aortic valve area (AVA) tracking curves were derived by planimetry during the cardiac cycle using all 20 phases (5% reconstruction). da/dt in cm 2 /s was calculated as the rate of change of AVA during opening (positive) or closing (negative). Patients were divided into 3 three groups according to Agatston score quartile: no AVC (Q2, Score 0, n = 18), mild AVC (Q3, Score 1-2254, n = 24), and severe AVC (Q4 Score >2254, n = 14). In multivariable linear regression, compared to the non AVC group, the mild and severe AVC groups had lower maximum AVA (by -1.71 cm 2 and -2.25 cm 2 , respectively), lower peak positive da/dt (by -21.88 cm 2 /s and -26.65 cm 2 /s, respectively), and higher peak negative da/dt (by 13.78 cm 2 /s and 18.11 cm 2 /s, respectively) (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). AVA and its opening and closing were influenced by leaflet calcification. The present study demonstrates the ability of dynamic MDCT imaging to assess quantitative aortic valve motion in a clinical setting. Copyright © 2016 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Valve actuator for internal combustion engine

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Uchida, T.

    1987-06-16

    A valve actuating mechanism is described for an overhead valve and overhead cam type internal combustion engine in which the camshaft is positioned above and between the valve and a cam follower seat member in a cylinder head of the engine. The cam follower seat member is threadedly mounted in the cylinder head and has a semi-spherical recess facing upwardly. A cam follower has an adjustable bolt threadedly received in one end of the cam follower. The adjustable bolt has a spherical fulcrum engaging the semispherical recess of the seat member. The cam follower also has a downwardly facing meansmore » on the other end for engaging the valve and an upwardly facing slipper face for sliding engagement with a cam on the camshaft. The cam is adapted to rotate across the slipper face in the direction of the valve. The slipper face has a surface shape for engaging the cam at the start of valve-lifting movement of the cam follower at a point through which a line tangent to the slipper face is substantially parallel to a line through contact points between the cam follower. The seat member and valve for minimizing the lateral forces are imposed on the cam follower by the cam at the start of the valve-lifting movement.« less

  1. Experimental research of flow servo-valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takosoglu, Jakub

    Positional control of pneumatic drives is particularly important in pneumatic systems. Some methods of positioning pneumatic cylinders for changeover and tracking control are known. Choking method is the most development-oriented and has the greatest potential. An optimal and effective method, particularly when applied to pneumatic drives, has been searched for a long time. Sophisticated control systems with algorithms utilizing artificial intelligence methods are designed therefor. In order to design the control algorithm, knowledge about real parameters of servo-valves used in control systems of electro-pneumatic servo-drives is required. The paper presents the experimental research of flow servo-valve.

  2. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation

    PubMed Central

    Spina, Roberto; Anthony, Chris; Muller, David WM

    2015-01-01

    Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with either the balloon-expandable Edwards SAPIEN XT valve, or the self-expandable CoreValve prosthesis has become the established therapeutic modality for severe aortic valve stenosis in patients who are not deemed suitable for surgical intervention due to excessively high operative risk. Native aortic valve regurgitation, defined as primary aortic incompetence not associated with aortic stenosis or failed valve replacement, on the other hand, is still considered a relative contraindication for transcatheter aortic valve therapies, because of the absence of annular or leaflet calcification required for secure anchoring of the transcatheter heart valve. In addition, severe aortic regurgitation often coexists with aortic root or ascending aorta dilatation, the treatment of which mandates operative intervention. For these reasons, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been only sporadically used to treat pure aortic incompetence, typically on a compassionate basis and in surgically inoperable patients. More recently, however, transcatheter aortic valve replacement for native aortic valve regurgitation has been trialled with newer-generation heart valves, with encouraging results, and new ancillary devices have emerged that are designed to stabilize the annulus–root complex. In this paper we review the clinical context, technical characteristics and outcomes associated with transcatheter treatment of native aortic valve regurgitation. PMID:29588674

  3. Single leg separation prevalence among explanted Björk-Shiley prosthetic heart valves.

    PubMed

    Blot, William J; Signorello, Lisa B; Cohen, Sarah S; Ibrahim, Michel A

    2007-11-01

    Björk-Shiley convexo-concave (BSCC) prosthetic heart valves are believed to have been implanted in over 86,000 patients worldwide. Limited data are available on the prevalence of single leg separations (SLS) of the valves' outlet struts, a potential precursor to complete valve fracture. Data maintained by the manufacturer, including results of examinations for SLS in explanted valves, were merged with available information on the characteristics of the valve. The prevalence of SLS in the examined valves was calculated according to valve angle, size, position, and study. Among 343 examined valves, the overall prevalence of SLS was 8.2%, but this varied significantly by valve size, being three-fold higher among 29+ mm valves than among smaller valves, with statistically non-significantly higher prevalences among mitral than aortic, and among 70 degrees than 60 degrees valves. By applying the size, position and angle-specific SLS prevalences to the worldwide valve distribution, it is estimated that SLS may be present in 6.8% (95% confidence limits 4.1-9.4%) of all BSCC valves. These findings suggest that SLS may affect between 820 and 1,880 of the almost 20,000 BSCC valves among surviving patients worldwide. Such estimates help frame the context for potential patient screenings, should imaging and acoustic techniques to detect SLS become available.

  4. Recently patented transcatheter aortic valves in clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Neragi-Miandoab, Siyamek; Skripochnik, Edvard; Salemi, Arash; Girardi, Leonard

    2013-12-01

    The most widely used heart valve worldwide is the Edwards Sapien, which currently has 60% of the worldwide transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) market. The CoreValve is next in line in popularity, encompassing 35% of the worldwide TAVI market. Although these two valves dominate the TAVI market, a number of newer transcatheter valves have been introduced and others are in early clinical evaluation. The new valves are designed to reduce catheter delivery diameter, improve ease of positioning and sealing, and facilitate repositioning or removal. The most recent transcatheter valves for transapical use include Acurate TA (Symetis), Engager (Medtronic), and JenaValve the Portico (St Jude), Sadra Lotus Medical (Boston Scientific), and the Direct Flow Medical. These new inventions may introduce more effective treatment options for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Improvements in transcatheter valves and the developing variability among them may allow for more tailored approaches with respect to patient's anatomy, while giving operators the opportunity to choose devices they feel more comfortable with. Moreover, introducing new devices to the market will create a competitive environment among producers that will reduce high prices and expand availability. The present review article includes a discussion of recent patents related to Transcatheter Aortic Valves.

  5. Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement by Hybrid Approach Using a Novel Polymeric Prosthetic Heart Valve: Proof of Concept in Sheep

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Tong-yi; Zhang, Zhi-gang; Li, Xin; Han, Lin; Xu, Zhi-yun

    2014-01-01

    Background Since 2000, transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement has steadily advanced. However, the available prosthetic valves are restricted to bioprosthesis which have defects like poor durability. Polymeric heart valve is thought as a promising alternative to bioprosthesis. In this study, we introduced a novel polymeric transcatheter pulmonary valve and evaluated its feasibility and safety in sheep by a hybrid approach. Methods We designed a novel polymeric trileaflet transcatheter pulmonary valve with a balloon-expandable stent, and the valve leaflets were made of 0.1-mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) coated with phosphorylcholine. We chose glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium valves as control. Pulmonary valve stents were implanted in situ by a hybrid transapical approach in 10 healthy sheep (8 for polymeric valve and 2 for bovine pericardium valve), weighing an average of 22.5±2.0 kg. Angiography and cardiac catheter examination were performed after implantation to assess immediate valvular functionality. After 4-week follow-up, angiography, echocardiography, computed tomography, and cardiac catheter examination were used to assess early valvular function. One randomly selected sheep with polymeric valve was euthanized and the explanted valved stent was analyzed macroscopically and microscopically. Findings Implantation was successful in 9 sheep. Angiography at implantation showed all 9 prosthetic valves demonstrated orthotopic position and normal functionality. All 9 sheep survived at 4-week follow-up. Four-week follow-up revealed no evidence of valve stent dislocation or deformation and normal valvular and cardiac functionality. The cardiac catheter examination showed the peak-peak transvalvular pressure gradient of the polymeric valves was 11.9±5.0 mmHg, while that of two bovine pericardium valves were 11 and 17 mmHg. Gross morphology demonstrated good opening and closure characteristics. No thrombus or calcification was seen

  6. Strut fracture of Björk-Shiley convexo-concave valve in Japan--risk of small valve size--.

    PubMed

    Watarida, S; Shiraishi, S; Nishi, T; Imura, M; Yamamoto, Y; Hirokawa, R; Fujita, M

    2001-08-01

    The Björk-Shiley convexo-concave (BSCC) prosthetic valve was introduced in 1979. Between 1979 and 1986, approximately 86,000 BSCC valves were implanted. By December 31, 1994, 564 complete strut fractures had been reported to the manufacture. We experienced a case of an outlet strut fracture and investigated the risk of BSCC prosthetic valve fractures in Japan. To investigate the risk factor of a strut fracture in Japan, we investigated published cases of strut fractures. Between 1979 and 1986, 2021 BSCC valves were implanted in Japan. By January 31, 2000, 11 complete strut fractures of 60-degree BSCC valves including our case had occurred. The patients were eight males and three females. The average age at valve replacement was 42.4+/-8.1 years, and nine of eleven (81.8%) were patients < 50 years-old. The average age of the patients when the BSCC valve fractured was 47.7+/-6.4 years, and eight of eleven (72.7%) were patients <= 50 years old. All patients were implanted in the mitral position. The sizes of the BSCC valve were 27 mm (n=5) (45.5%), 29 mm (n=3) (27.2%), and 31 mm (n=3) (27.2%). Four patients died and seven patients survived. Although only 11 BSCC valve struts fractured and statistical analysis could not be performed, our findings suggest that the high risk group for a strut fracture in Japan is young male patients with a mitral valve, >= 27 mm in size with BSCC models manufactured before March 1982. When following-up patients with BSCC models manufactured before March 1982, the possibility of a strut fracture in all BSCC valve sizes should be kept in mind.

  7. A new beating-heart mitral and aortic valve assessment model with implications for valve intervention training.

    PubMed

    Bouma, Wobbe; Jainandunsing, Jayant S; Khamooshian, Arash; van der Harst, Pim; Mariani, Massimo A; Natour, Ehsan

    2017-02-01

    A thorough understanding of mitral and aortic valve motion dynamics is essential in mastering the skills necessary for performing successful valve intervention (open or transcatheter repair or replacement). We describe a reproducible and versatile beating-heart mitral and aortic valve assessment and valve intervention training model in human cadavers. The model is constructed by bilateral ligation of the pulmonary veins, ligation of the supra-aortic arteries, creating a shunt between the descending thoracic aorta and the left atrial appendage with a vascular prosthesis, anastomizing a vascular prosthesis to the apex and positioning an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in the vascular prosthesis, cross-clamping the descending thoracic aorta, and finally placing a fluid line in the shunt prosthesis. The left ventricle is filled with saline to the desired pressure through the fluid line, and the IABP is switched on and set to a desired frequency (usually 60-80 bpm). Prerepair valve dynamic motion can be studied under direct endoscopic visualization. After assessment, the IABP is switched off, and valve intervention training can be performed using standard techniques. This high-fidelity simulation model has known limitations, but provides a realistic environment with an actual beating (human) heart, which is of incremental value. The model provides a unique opportunity to fill a beating heart with saline and to study prerepair mitral and aortic valve dynamic motion under direct endoscopic visualization. The entire set-up provides a versatile beating-heart mitral and aortic valve assessment model, which may have important implications for future valve intervention training. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

  8. Positive isolation disconnect

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Friedell, M. V. (Inventor)

    1978-01-01

    A disconnect composed basically of two halves each consisting of a poppet valve operable to isolate fluid with essentially zero fluid loss is presented. The two halves are coupled together by a quickly releasable coupling which may be either a coupling ring tightened or loosened by a twisting motion, or a clamp operated by a pivoted to prevent disconnecting the two halves until both valves are in closed condition. The positive feature of the device is one requiring a valve closing step before a disconnect step, and takes structural form in an accentric lobe mounted on the valve operating stem. If some obstruction prevents the poppet from moving to its seat, the eccentric lobe cannot be rotated to the closed position, and the interlock prevents a disconnect.

  9. Trans-catheter aortic valve implantation after previous aortic homograft surgery.

    PubMed

    Drews, Thorsten; Pasic, Miralem; Buz, Semih; Unbehaun, Axel

    2011-12-01

    In patients with previous heart surgery, the operative risk is elevated during conventional aortic valve re-operations. Trans-catheter aortic valve implantation is a new method for the treatment of high-risk patients. Nevertheless, this new procedure carries potential risks in patients with previous homograft implantation in aortic position. Between April 2008 and February 2011, 345 consecutive patients (mean EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation): 38 ± 20%; mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Mortality Score: 19 ± 16%; mean age: 80 ± 8 years; 111 men and 234 women) underwent trans-apical aortic valve implantation. In three patients, previous aortic homograft implantation had been performed. Homograft degeneration causing combined valve stenosis and incompetence made re-operation necessary. In all three patients, the aortic valve could be implanted using the trans-apical approach, and the procedure was successful. In two patients, there was slight paravalvular leakage of the aortic prosthesis and the other patient had slight central leakage. Neither ostium obstruction nor mitral valve damage was observed. Trans-catheter valve implantation can be performed successfully after previous homograft implantation. Particular care should be taken to achieve optimal valve positioning, not to obstruct the ostium of the coronary vessels due to the changed anatomic situation and not to cause annulus rupture. Copyright © 2011 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. [Elastic registration method to compute deformation functions for mitral valve].

    PubMed

    Yang, Jinyu; Zhang, Wan; Yin, Ran; Deng, Yuxiao; Wei, Yunfeng; Zeng, Junyi; Wen, Tong; Ding, Lu; Liu, Xiaojian; Li, Yipeng

    2014-10-01

    Mitral valve disease is one of the most popular heart valve diseases. Precise positioning and displaying of the valve characteristics is necessary for the minimally invasive mitral valve repairing procedures. This paper presents a multi-resolution elastic registration method to compute the deformation functions constructed from cubic B-splines in three dimensional ultrasound images, in which the objective functional to be optimized was generated by maximum likelihood method based on the probabilistic distribution of the ultrasound speckle noise. The algorithm was then applied to register the mitral valve voxels. Numerical results proved the effectiveness of the algorithm.

  11. Long-Term Risk for Aortic Complications After Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valve Versus Marfan Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Itagaki, Shinobu; Chikwe, Joanna P; Chiang, Yuting P; Egorova, Natalia N; Adams, David H

    2015-06-09

    Bicuspid aortic valves are associated with valve dysfunction, ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection. Management of the ascending aorta at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR) in these patients is controversial and has been extrapolated from experience with Marfan syndrome, despite the absence of comparative long-term outcome data. This study sought to assess whether the natural history of thoracic aortopathy after AVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease is substantially different from that seen in patients with Marfan syndrome. In this retrospective comparison, outcomes of 13,205 adults (2,079 with bicuspid aortic valves, 73 with Marfan syndrome, and 11,053 control patients with acquired aortic valve disease) who underwent primary AVR without replacement of the ascending aorta in New York State between 1995 and 2010 were compared. The median follow-up time was 6.6 years. The long-term incidence of thoracic aortic dissection was significantly higher in patients with Marfan syndrome (5.5 ± 2.7%) compared with those with bicuspid valves (0.55 ± 0.21%) and control group patients (0.41 ± 0.08%, p < 0.001). Thoracic aortic aneurysms were significantly more likely to be diagnosed in late follow-up in patients with Marfan syndrome (10.8 ± 4.4%) compared with those with bicuspid valves (4.8 ± 0.8%) and control group patients (1.4 ± 0.2%) (p < 0.001). Patients with Marfan syndrome were significantly more likely to undergo thoracic aortic surgery in late follow-up (10.4 ± 4.3%) compared with those with bicuspid valves (2.5 ± 0.6%) and control group patients (0.50 ± 0.09%) (p < 0.001). The much higher long-term rates of aortic complications after AVR observed in patients with Marfan syndrome compared with those with bicuspid aortic valves confirm that operative management of patients with bicuspid aortic valves should not be extrapolated from Marfan syndrome and support discrete treatment algorithms for these different clinical entities

  12. Centrifugo-pneumatic valving utilizing dissolvable films.

    PubMed

    Gorkin, Robert; Nwankire, Charles E; Gaughran, Jennifer; Zhang, Xin; Donohoe, Gerard G; Rook, Martha; O'Kennedy, Richard; Ducrée, Jens

    2012-08-21

    In this article we introduce a novel technology that utilizes specialized water dissolvable thin films for valving in centrifugal microfluidic systems. In previous work (William Meathrel and Cathy Moritz, IVD Technologies, 2007), dissolvable films (DFs) have been assembled in laminar flow devices to form efficient sacrificial valves where DFs simply open by direct contact with liquid. Here, we build on the original DF valving scheme to leverage sophisticated, merely rotationally actuated vapour barriers and flow control for enabling comprehensive assay integration with low-complexity instrumentation on "lab-on-a-disc" platforms. The advanced sacrificial valving function is achieved by creating an inverted gas-liquid stack upstream of the DF during priming of the system. At low rotational speeds, a pocket of trapped air prevents a surface-tension stabilized liquid plug from wetting the DF membrane. However, high-speed rotation disrupts the metastable gas/liquid interface to wet the DF and thus opens the valve. By judicious choice of the radial position and geometry of the valve, the burst frequency can be tuned over a wide range of rotational speeds nearly 10 times greater than those attained by common capillary burst valves based on hydrophobic constrictions. The broad range of reproducible burst frequencies of the DF valves bears the potential for full integration and automation of comprehensive, multi-step biochemical assay protocols. In this report we demonstrate DF valving, discuss the biocompatibility of using the films, and show a potential sequential valving system including the on-demand release of on-board stored liquid reagents, fast centrifugal sedimentation and vigorous mixing; thus providing a viable basis for use in lab-on-a-disc platforms for point-of-care diagnostics and other life science applications.

  13. Effectiveness of rivaroxaban for thromboprophylaxis of prosthetic heart valves in a porcine heterotopic valve model.

    PubMed

    Greiten, Lawrence E; McKellar, Stephen H; Rysavy, Joseph; Schaff, Hartzell V

    2014-05-01

    the heterotopic aortic position. It reduced valve thrombus and platelet deposition on day 30 following implantation without increased adverse events. Future studies would provide additional support for clinical trials evaluating rivaroxaban as an alternative to warfarin for appropriately selected patients with prosthetic aortic valves.

  14. Late outcome analysis of the Braile Biomédica® pericardial valve in the aortic position

    PubMed Central

    Azeredo, Lisandro Gonçalves; Veronese, Elinthon Tavares; Santiago, José Augusto Duncan; Brandão, Carlos Manuel de Almeida; Pomerantzeff, Pablo Maria Alberto; Jatene, Fabio Biscegli

    2014-01-01

    Objective Aortic valve replacement with Braile bovine pericardial prosthesis has been routinely done at the Heart Institute of the Universidade de São Paulo Medical School since 2006. The objective of this study is to analyze the results of Braile Biomédica® aortic bioprosthesis in patients with aortic valve disease. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 196 patients with aortic valve disease submitted to aortic valve replacement with Braile Biomédica® bovine pericardial prosthesis, between 2006 and 2010. Mean age was 59.41±16.34 years and 67.3% were male. Before surgery, 73.4% of patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV. Results Hospital mortality was 8.16% (16 patients). Linearized rates of mortality, endocarditis, reintervention, and structural dysfunction were 1.065%, 0.91%, 0.68% and 0.075% patients/year, respectively. Actuarial survival was 90.59±2.56% in 88 months. Freedom from reintervention, endocarditis and structural dysfunction was respectively 91.38±2.79%, 89.84±2.92% and 98.57±0.72% in 88 months. Conclusion The Braile Biomédica® pericardial aortic valve prosthesis demonstrated actuarial survival and durability similar to that described in the literature, but further follow up is required to assess the incidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis and structural dysfunction in the future. PMID:25372903

  15. Emergent presentation of decompensated mitral valve prolapse and atrial septal defect.

    PubMed

    Kang, Jessie; Das, Bijon

    2015-05-01

    Mitral valve prolapse is not commonly on the list of differential diagnosis when a patient presents in the emergency department (ED) in severe distress, presenting with non-specific features such as abdominal pain, tachycardia and dyspnea. A healthy 55-year-old man without significant past medical history arrived in the ED with a unique presentation of a primary mitral valve prolapse with an atrial septal defect uncommon in cardiology literature. Early recognition of mitral valve prolapse in high-risk patients for severe mitral regurgitation or patients with underlying cardiovascular abnormalities such as an atrial septal defect is crucial to prevent morbid outcomes such as sudden cardiac death.

  16. Failing stentless Bioprostheses in patients with carcinoid heart valve disease.

    PubMed

    Schaefer, Andreas; Sill, Bjoern; Schoenebeck, Jeannette; Schneeberger, Yvonne; Reichenspurner, Hermann; Gulbins, Helmut

    2015-03-27

    Carcinoid tumor with consecutive endocardial fibroelastosis of the right heart, known as carcinoid heart valve disease (CHVD) or Hedinger's syndrome, is accompanied by combined right-sided valvular dysfunction with regurgitation and stenosis of the affected valves. Cardiac surgery with replacement of the tricuspid and/or pulmonary valve is an established therapeutic option for patients with Hedinger's syndrome. Little is known about the long term outcome and the choice of prosthesis for the pulmonal position is still a matter of debate. The authors report three cases of pulmonary valve replacement with stentless bioprostheses (Medtronic Freestyle, Medtronic PLC, Minneapolis, MN, USA) due to severe pulmonary valve degeneration in consequence of Hedinger's syndrome. All patients presented with re-stenosis of the pulmonal valve conduit at the height of the anastomoses in a premature fashion. Due to the increased risk for repeat surgical valve replacement, two patients were treated by transcatheter heart valves. We do not recommend the replacement of the pulmonary valve with stentless bioprostheses in patients with CHVD. These valves presented with an extreme premature degeneration and consecutive re-stenosis and heart failure.

  17. Active control of magnetoresistance of organic spin valves using ferroelectricity

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Dali; Fang, Mei; Xu, Xiaoshan; Jiang, Lu; Guo, Hangwen; Wang, Yanmei; Yang, Wenting; Yin, Lifeng; Snijders, Paul C.; Ward, T. Z.; Gai, Zheng; Zhang, X.-G.; Lee, Ho Nyung; Shen, Jian

    2014-01-01

    Organic spintronic devices have been appealing because of the long spin lifetime of the charge carriers in the organic materials and their low cost, flexibility and chemical diversity. In previous studies, the control of resistance of organic spin valves is generally achieved by the alignment of the magnetization directions of the two ferromagnetic electrodes, generating magnetoresistance. Here we employ a new knob to tune the resistance of organic spin valves by adding a thin ferroelectric interfacial layer between the ferromagnetic electrode and the organic spacer: the magnetoresistance of the spin valve depends strongly on the history of the bias voltage, which is correlated with the polarization of the ferroelectric layer; the magnetoresistance even changes sign when the electric polarization of the ferroelectric layer is reversed. These findings enable active control of resistance using both electric and magnetic fields, opening up possibility for multi-state organic spin valves. PMID:25008155

  18. Broad-Range 16S rDNA PCR on Heart Valves in Infective Endocarditis.

    PubMed

    Müller Premru, Manica; Lejko Zupanc, Tatjana; Klokočovnik, Tomislav; Ruzić Sabljić, Eva; Cerar, Tjaša

    2016-03-01

    Infective endocarditis (IE) is diagnosed by blood and/or resected valve cultivation and echocardiographic findings, as defined by the Duke criteria. Unfortunately, cultures may be negative due to prior antibiotic therapy or fastidious or slow-growing microorganisms. The study aim was to investigate the value of the broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in addition to blood and valve culture for the detection of causative microorganisms. Between February 2012 and March 2015, valve samples from 36 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were analyzed; of these patients, 26 had a preoperative diagnosis of IE and 10 served as controls. Multiple blood cultures were obtained from 34 patients before antibiotic therapy was commenced. Valve samples were inoculated on bacteriological media and underwent analysis using broad-range PCR (16S rDNA). IE was confirmed microbiologically in 21 of the 26 patients (80.7%); in 20 cases (76.9%) this was by positive blood cultures and in 16 (61.5%) by positive valves. Valves were positive in 15 blood culturepositive patients, and in one blood-culture negative patient. Broad-range PCR detected a microorganism in valves significantly more frequently (n = 14; 53.8%) compared to valve culture (n = 8; 30.7%) (chisquare 11.5, p <0.001). The predominant microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus of the viridans group, coagulasenegative staphylococci and Enterococcus faecalis. Blood, valve cultures and broad-range PCR were negative in five patients (19.3%) with IE, and in all 10 subjects of the control group. Broad-range PCR on valves was more sensitive than valve culture. However, blood culture, if taken before the start of antibiotic therapy, was the best method for detecting IE.

  19. Emotional Stress-reactivity and Positive Affect among College Students: The Role of Depression History

    PubMed Central

    O’Hara, Ross E.; Armeli, Stephen; Boynton, Marcella H.; Tennen, Howard

    2014-01-01

    Multiple theories posit that people with a history of depression are at higher risk for a depressive episode than people who have never experienced depression, which may be partly due to differences in stress-reactivity. Additionally, both the dynamic model of affect and the broaden-and-build theory suggest that stress and positive affect interact to predict negative affect, but this moderation has never been tested in the context of depression history. The current study used multilevel modeling to examine these issues among 1549 college students with or without a history of depression. Students completed a 30-day online diary study in which they reported daily their perceived stress, positive affect, and negative affect (including depression, anxiety, and hostility). On days characterized by higher than usual stress, students with a history of depression reported greater decreases in positive affect and greater increases in depressed affect than students with no history. Furthermore, the relations between daily stress and both depressed and anxious affect were moderated by daily positive affect among students with remitted depression. These results indicate that students with a history of depression show greater stress-reactivity even when in remission, which may place them at greater risk for recurrence. These individuals may also benefit more from positive affect on higher stress days despite being less likely to experience positive affect on such days. The current findings have various implications both clinically and for research on stress, mood, and depression. PMID:24274764

  20. Banking of cryopreserved heart valves in Europe: assessment of a 10-year operation in the European Homograft Bank (EHB).

    PubMed

    Goffin, Y A; Van Hoeck, B; Jashari, R; Soots, G; Kalmar, P

    2000-03-01

    The preparation, banking and distribution of cryopreserved heart valves has been carried out at the European Homograft Bank (EHB) in Brussels without interruption since January 1989. We present an assessment of the Bank's activities during this 10-year period. Heart valve donors aged <62 years form three categories: multiorgan donors with non-transplantable hearts; recipients of cardiac transplantation; and non-beating heart cadavers with a warm ischemia time of less than 6 h. Past history and biology are checked for transmissible diseases. Dissection, incubation in antibiotics and cryopreservation in 10% dimethylsulfoxide with storage in liquid nitrogen vapors (about -150 degrees C), and quality control are according to the standards of the Belgian Ministry of Health. Cryopreserved valves are shipped to the implantation centers in a dry shipper at about -150 degrees C. Between January 30th 1989 and December 31st 1998, 1,817 non-transplantable hearts and 12 excised semilunar valves were obtained. In total, 2,077 valves (1,032 pulmonary, 931 aortic and 13 mitral) were decontaminated, cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen vapor (six more valves were refrigerated). In total, 1,515 valves were discarded at different stages of the protocol, the main causes of rejection being significant macroscopic lesions (68.2% aortic and 26.67% pulmonary). Inadequate excision at procurement (10.37% pulmonary), persistent contamination after antibiotics (5.6%) and positive serology for hepatitis B and C and Q fever (5.4%) were other frequent causes for rejection. Among the 2,117 accepted valves, 1,398 were graded first and 719 second choice, mainly on the basis of morphology. In total, 2,090 cryopreserved valves and one refrigerated valve were implanted in 39 institutions between May 1989 and December 1998. Of requests, 10.02% could not be satisfied. In total, 967 pulmonary valves were implanted in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT); 424 during a Ross procedure, and 76

  1. Clinical features of subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients with positive cancer history.

    PubMed

    Shibahara, Ichiyo; Watanabe, Takashi; Ezura, Masayuki; Inoue, Takashi; Fujimura, Miki; Kimura, Naoto; Inoue, Tomoo; Suzuki, Ichiro; Nishino, Akiko; Nishimura, Shinjitsu; Uenohara, Hiroshi; Tominaga, Teiji

    2016-05-01

    Advances in cancer treatment have dramatically increased long-term survivors. Prolonged survival increases comorbidity risk, but there is a paucity of studies on how cancer history alters clinical outcomes from subsequent diseases. This study aims to investigate whether positive cancer history influences clinical outcome following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We retrospectively reviewed consecutive SAH patients admitted between January 2008 and March 2014. Medical histories, known SAH risk factors, and outcome were compared between SAH patients with and without cancer history. Out of the 498 SAH patients, 55 cases had cancer history, 438 cases had no cancer history and 5 cases had an unknown cancer history. Compared with SAH patients without cancer history, those with cancer history had poorer Hunt & Hess grade at SAH presentation (P = 0.021), and poorer modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge (P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, modified Fisher, previous SAH, history of hypertension, current smoking status, and current alcohol consumption, positive cancer history remained an independent risk factor for poorer mRS0-6 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.25, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.28-3.94] and mRS6 (OR = 2.74, 95 % CI 1.40-5.37). Furthermore, stratified analysis by Hunt & Hess grade adjusted by age, sex, and modified Fisher scale, OR of poorer mRS0-6 was 2.12 (95 % CI 0.89-5.05) and OR of mRS6 was 3.68 (95 % CI 1.35-10.04). After adjustment of patients for demographic factors, classical risk factors for SAH and Hunt & Hess grade, previous cancer history is a risk factor for the poor functional outcome of SAH.

  2. Bicuspid aortic valves: diagnostic accuracy of standard axial 64-slice chest CT compared to aortic valve image plane ECG-gated cardiac CT.

    PubMed

    Murphy, David J; McEvoy, Sinead H; Iyengar, Sri; Feuchtner, Gudrun; Cury, Ricardo C; Roobottom, Carl; Baumueller, Stephan; Alkadhi, Hatem; Dodd, Jonathan D

    2014-08-01

    To assess the diagnostic accuracy of standard axial 64-slice chest CT compared to aortic valve image plane ECG-gated cardiac CT for bicuspid aortic valves. The standard axial chest CT scans of 20 patients with known bicuspid aortic valves were blindly, randomly analyzed for (i) the appearance of the valve cusps, (ii) the largest aortic sinus area, (iii) the longest aortic cusp length, (iv) the thickest aortic valve cusp and (v) valve calcification. A second blinded reader independently analyzed the appearance of the valve cusps. Forty-two age- and sex-matched patients with known tricuspid aortic valves were used as controls. Retrospectively ECG-gated cardiac CT multiphase reconstructions of the aortic valve were used as the gold-standard. Fourteen (21%) scans were scored as unevaluable (7 bicuspid, 7 tricuspid). Of the remainder, there were 13 evaluable bicuspid valves, ten of which showed an aortic valve line sign, while the remaining three showed a normal Mercedes-Benz appearance owing to fused valve cusps. The 35 evaluable tricuspid aortic valves all showed a normal Mercedes-Benz appearance (P=0.001). Kappa analysis=0.62 indicating good interobserver agreement for the aortic valve cusp appearance. Aortic sinus areas, aortic cusp lengths and aortic cusp thicknesses of ≥ 3.8 cm(2), 3.2 cm and 1.6mm respectively on standard axial chest CT best distinguished bicuspid from tricuspid aortic valves (P<0.0001 for all). Of evaluable scans, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of standard axial chest CT in diagnosing bicuspid aortic valves was 77% (CI 0.54-1.0), 100%, 100% and 70% respectively. The aortic valve is evaluable in approximately 80% of standard chest 64-slice CT scans. Bicuspid aortic valves may be diagnosed on evaluable scans with good diagnostic accuracy. An aortic valve line sign, enlarged aortic sinuses and elongated, thickened valve cusps are specific CT features. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights

  3. Hydraulic servo control spool valve

    DOEpatents

    Miller, Donald M.

    1983-01-01

    A servo operated spool valve having a fixed sleeve and axially movable spool. The sleeve is machined in two halves to form a long, narrow tapered orifice slot across which a transverse wall of the spool is positioned. The axial position of the spool wall along the slot regulates the open orifice area with extreme precision.

  4. Effect of heart rate on the hemodynamics of bileaflet mechanical heart valves' prostheses (St. Jude Medical) in the aortic position and in the opening phase: A computational study.

    PubMed

    Jahandardoost, Mehdi; Fradet, Guy; Mohammadi, Hadi

    2016-03-01

    To date, to the best of the authors' knowledge, in almost all of the studies performed around the hemodynamics of bileaflet mechanical heart valves, a heart rate of 70-72 beats/min has been considered. In fact, the heart rate of ~72 beats/min does not represent the entire normal physiological conditions under which the aortic or prosthetic valves function. The heart rates of 120 or 50 beats/min may lead to hemodynamic complications, such as plaque formation and/or thromboembolism in patients. In this study, the hemodynamic performance of the bileaflet mechanical heart valves in a wide range of normal and physiological heart rates, that is, 60-150 beats/min, was studied in the opening phase. The model considered in this study was a St. Jude Medical bileaflet mechanical heart valve with the inner diameter of 27 mm in the aortic position. The hemodynamics of the native valve and the St. Jude Medical valve were studied in a variety of heart rates in the opening phase and the results were carefully compared. The results indicate that peak values of the velocity profile downstream of the valve increase as heart rate increases, as well as the location of the maximum velocity changes with heart rate in the St. Jude Medical valve model. Also, the maximum values of shear stress and wall shear stresses downstream of the valve are proportional to heart rate in both models. Interestingly, the maximum shear stress and wall shear stress values in both models are in the same range when heart rate is <90 beats/min; however, these values significantly increase in the St. Jude Medical valve model when heart rate is >90 beats/min (up to ~40% growth compared to that of the native valve). The findings of this study may be of importance in the hemodynamic performance of bileaflet mechanical heart valves. They may also play an important role in design improvement of conventional prosthetic heart valves and the design of the next generation of prosthetic valves, such as

  5. Valve thrombosis following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review.

    PubMed

    Córdoba-Soriano, Juan G; Puri, Rishi; Amat-Santos, Ignacio; Ribeiro, Henrique B; Abdul-Jawad Altisent, Omar; del Trigo, María; Paradis, Jean-Michel; Dumont, Eric; Urena, Marina; Rodés-Cabau, Josep

    2015-03-01

    Despite the rapid global uptake of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, valve trombosis has yet to be systematically evaluated in this field. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with valve thrombosis following transcatheter aortic valve implantation through a systematic review of published data. Literature published between 2002 and 2012 on valve thrombosis as a complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation was identified through a systematic electronic search. A total of 11 publications were identified, describing 16 patients (mean age, 80 [5] years, 65% men). All but 1 patient (94%) received a balloon-expandable valve. All patients received dual antiplatelet therapy immediately following the procedure and continued to take either mono- or dual antiplatelet therapy at the time of valve thrombosis diagnosis. Valve thrombosis was diagnosed at a median of 6 months post-procedure, with progressive dyspnea being the most common symptom. A significant increase in transvalvular gradient (from 10 [4] to 40 [12] mmHg) was the most common echocardiographic feature, in addition to leaflet thickening. Thrombus was not directly visualized with echocardiography. Three patients underwent valve explantation, and the remaining received warfarin, which effectively restored the mean transvalvular gradient to baseline within 2 months. Systemic embolism was not a feature of valve thrombosis post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Although a rare, yet likely under-reported complication of post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation, progressive dyspnea coupled with an increasing transvalvular gradient on echocardiography within the months following the intervention likely signifies valve thrombosis. While direct thrombus visualization appears difficult, prompt initiation of oral anticoagulation therapy effectively restores baseline valve function. Copyright © 2014

  6. Amyloid substance within stenotic aortic valves promotes mineralization.

    PubMed

    Audet, Audrey; Côté, Nancy; Couture, Christian; Bossé, Yohan; Després, Jean-Pierre; Pibarot, Philippe; Mathieu, Patrick

    2012-10-01

    Accumulation of apolipoproteins may play an important role in the pathobiology of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). We aimed to explore the hypothesis that apolipoprotein-derived amyloid could play a role in the development of CAVD. In 70 explanted CAVD valves and 15 control non-calcified aortic valves, we assessed the presence of amyloid by using Congo red staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed to document the presence of apolipoprotein AI (Apo-AI). Apoptosis was documented by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) studies performed in control and CAVD valves. Control valves were free of amyloid. Deposition of amyloid was detected in all CAVD valves, and the amount was positively correlated with plasma high-density lipoprotein and Apo-AI levels. Apo-AI within CAVD valves co-localized with intense staining of fibrillar amyloid. In turn, deposition of amyloid co-localized with apoptosis near mineralized areas. Isolation of amyloid fibrils confirmed that Apo-AI is a major component of amyloid deposits in CAVD. In vitro, CAVD-derived amyloid extracts increased apoptosis and mineralization of isolated aortic valvular interstitial cells. Apo-AI is a major component of amyloid substance present within CAVD valves. Furthermore, amyloid deposits participate in mineralization in CAVD by promoting apoptosis of valvular interstitial cells. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  7. Congenital absence of pulmonary valve leaflets.

    PubMed Central

    Buendia, A; Attie, F; Ovseyevitz, J; Zghaib, A; Zamora, C; Zavaleta, D; Vargas-Barron, J; Richheimer, R

    1983-01-01

    Congenital absence of pulmonary valve leaflets is an uncommon condition usually associated with ventricular septal defect and an obstructive pulmonary valve ring. Twenty-one patients with these malformations are described. Twenty had an associated ventricular septal defect with ventriculoarterial concordance, and one also had transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and obstructive pulmonary valve ring. The clinical features, cardiac catheterisation findings, and angiocardiographic results are presented. Twelve patients underwent cardiac surgery. Three patients died, one in the early, and the other two in the late postoperative period. The results, according to the surgical technique employed and postoperative cardiac catheterisation findings, showed that patients in whom the bioprostheses were implanted in the pulmonary position had a better late follow-up. Images PMID:6860509

  8. Fluid Dynamics of Thrombosis in Transcatheter Aortic Valves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seo, Jung Hee; Zhu, Chi; Dou, Zhongwang; Resar, Jon; Mittal, Rajat

    2017-11-01

    Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with bioprosthetic valves (BPV) has become highly prevalent in recent years. While one advantage of BPVs over mechanical ones is the lower incidence of valve thrombosis, recent clinical studies have suggested a higher than expected incidence of subclinical bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (BVT). Many factors that might affect the transvalvular hemodynamics including the valve position, orientation, stent, and interaction with the coronary flow, have been suggested, but the casual mechanisms of valve thrombosis are still unknown. In the present study, the hemodynamics associated with the formation of BVT is investigated using a novel, coupled flow-structure-biochemical computational modeling. A reduced degree of freedom, fluid-structure-interaction model is proposed for the efficient simulation of the hemodynamics and leaflet dynamics in the BPVs. Simple models to take into account the effects of the stent and coronary flows have also been developed. Simulations are performed for canonical models of BPVs in the aorta in various configurations and the results are examined to provide insights into the mechanisms for valve thrombosis. Supported by the NSF Grants IIS-1344772, CBET-1511200 and NSF XSEDE Grant TG-CTS100002.

  9. Fast valve

    DOEpatents

    Van Dyke, W.J.

    1992-04-07

    A fast valve is disclosed that can close on the order of 7 milliseconds. It is closed by the force of a compressed air spring with the moving parts of the valve designed to be of very light weight and the valve gate being of wedge shaped with O-ring sealed faces to provide sealing contact without metal to metal contact. The combination of the O-ring seal and an air cushion create a soft final movement of the valve closure to prevent the fast air acting valve from having a harsh closing. 4 figs.

  10. Fast valve

    DOEpatents

    Van Dyke, William J.

    1992-01-01

    A fast valve is disclosed that can close on the order of 7 milliseconds. It is closed by the force of a compressed air spring with the moving parts of the valve designed to be of very light weight and the valve gate being of wedge shaped with O-ring sealed faces to provide sealing contact without metal to metal contact. The combination of the O-ring seal and an air cushion create a soft final movement of the valve closure to prevent the fast air acting valve from having a harsh closing.

  11. A Systematic Review of Infective Endocarditis in Patients With Bovine Jugular Vein Valves Compared With Other Valve Types.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Ashutosh; Cote, Anita T; Hosking, Martin C K; Harris, Kevin C

    2017-07-24

    The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) in right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits and valves, comparing bovine jugular vein (BJV) valves with all others. Recent evidence suggests that the incidence of IE is higher in patients with congenital heart disease who have undergone implantation of BJV valves in the pulmonary position compared with other valves. Systematic searches of published research were conducted using electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL) and citations cross-referenced current to April 2016. Included studies met the following criteria: patients had undergone right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit or percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation, and investigators reported on the type of conduit or valve implanted, method of intervention (surgery or catheter based), IE incidence, and follow-up time. Fifty studies (Levels of Evidence: 2 to 4) were identified involving 7,063 patients. The median cumulative incidence of IE was higher for BJV compared with other valves (5.4% vs. 1.2%; p < 0.0001) during a median follow-up period of 24.0 and 35.5 months, respectively (p = 0.03). For patients with BJV valves, the incidence of IE was not different between surgical and catheter-based valve implantation (p = 0.83). There was a higher incidence of endocarditis with BJV valves than other types of right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits. There was no difference in the incidence of endocarditis between catheter-based bovine valves and surgically implanted bovine valves, suggesting that the substrate for future infection is related to the tissue rather than the method of implantation. Copyright © 2017 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Massive Gas Injection Valve Development for NSTX-U

    DOE Data Explorer

    Raman, R. [Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Plunkett, G. J. [Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Way, W.-S. [Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

    2016-05-01

    NSTX-U research will offer new insight by studying gas assimilation efficiencies for MGI injection from different poloidal locations using identical gas injection systems. In support of this activity, an electromagnetic MGI valve has been built and tested. The valve operates by repelling two conductive disks due to eddy currents induced on them by a rapidly changing magnetic field created by a pancake disk solenoid positioned beneath the circular disk attached to a piston. The current is driven in opposite directions in the two solenoids, which creates a cancelling torque when the valve is operated in an ambient magnetic field, as would be required in a tokamak installation. The valve does not use ferromagnetic materials. Results from the operation of the valve, including tests conducted in 1 T external magnetic fields, are described. The pressure rise in the test chamber is measured directly using a fast time response baratron gauge. At a plenum pressure of just 1.38 MPa (~200 psig), the valve injects 27 Pa.m^3 (~200 Torr.L) of nitrogen with a pressure rise time of 3 ms.

  13. Stemless Ball Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burgess, Robert K.; Yakos, David; Walthall, Bryan

    2012-01-01

    This invention utilizes a new method of opening and closing a ball valve. Instead of rotating the ball with a perpendicular stem (as is the case with standard ball valves), the ball is rotated around a fixed axis by two guide pins. This innovation eliminates the leak point that is present in all standard ball valves due to the penetration of an actuation stem through the valve body. The VOST (Venturi Off-Set-Technology) valve has been developed for commercial applications. The standard version of the valve consists of an off-set venturi flow path through the valve. This path is split at the narrowest portion of the venturi, allowing the section upstream from the venturi to be rotated. As this rotation takes place, the venturi becomes restricted as one face rotates with respect to the other, eventually closing off the flow path. A spring-loaded seal made of resilient material is embedded in the upstream face of the valve, making a leak-proof seal between the faces; thus a valve is formed. The spring-loaded lip seal is the only seal that can provide a class six, or bubble-tight, seal against the opposite face of the valve. Tearing action of the seal by high-velocity gas on this early design required relocation of the seal to the downstream face of the valve. In the stemless embodiment of this valve, inner and outer magnetic cartridges are employed to transfer mechanical torque from the outside of the valve to the inside without the use of a stem. This eliminates the leak path caused by the valve stems in standard valves because the stems penetrate through the bodies of these valves.

  14. A planning system for transapical aortic valve implantation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gessat, Michael; Merk, Denis R.; Falk, Volkmar; Walther, Thomas; Jacobs, Stefan; Nöttling, Alois; Burgert, Oliver

    2009-02-01

    Stenosis of the aortic valve is a common cardiac disease. It is usually corrected surgically by replacing the valve with a mechanical or biological prosthesis. Transapical aortic valve implantation is an experimental minimally invasive surgical technique that is applied to patients with high operative risk to avoid pulmonary arrest. A stented biological prosthesis is mounted on a catheter. Through small incisions in the fifth intercostal space and the apex of the heart, the catheter is positioned under flouroscopy in the aortic root. The stent is expanded and unfolds the valve which is thereby implanted into the aortic root. Exact targeting is crucial, since major complications can arise from a misplaced valve. Planning software for the perioperative use is presented that allows for selection of the best fitting implant and calculation of the safe target area for that implant. The software uses contrast enhanced perioperative DynaCT images acquired under rapid pacing. In a semiautomatic process, a surface segmentation of the aortic root is created. User selected anatomical landmarks are used to calculate the geometric constraints for the size and position of the implant. The software is integrated into a PACS network based on DICOM communication to query and receive the images and implants templates from a PACS server. The planning results can be exported to the same server and from there can be rertieved by an intraoperative catheter guidance device.

  15. Pump having pistons and valves made of electroactive actuators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bar-Cohen, Yoseph (Inventor)

    1997-01-01

    The present invention provides a pump for inducing a displacement of a fluid from a first medium to a second medium, including a conduit coupled to the first and second media, a transducing material piston defining a pump chamber in the conduit and being transversely displaceable for increasing a volume of the chamber to extract the fluid from the first medium to the chamber and for decreasing the chamber volume to force the fluid from the chamber to the second medium, a first transducing material valve mounted in the conduit between the piston and the first medium and being transversely displaceable from a closed position to an open position to admit the fluid to the chamber, and control means for changing a first field applied to the piston to displace the piston for changing the chamber volume and for changing a second field applied to the first valve to change the position of the first valve.

  16. Tricuspid valve and percutaneous approach: No longer the forgotten valve!

    PubMed

    Bouleti, Claire; Juliard, Jean-Michel; Himbert, Dominique; Iung, Bernard; Brochet, Eric; Urena, Marina; Dilly, Marie-Pierre; Ou, Phalla; Nataf, Patrick; Vahanian, Alec

    2016-01-01

    Tricuspid valve disease is mainly represented by tricuspid regurgitation (TR), which is a predictor of poor outcome. TR is usually secondary, caused by right ventricle pressure or volume overload, the leading cause being left-sided heart valve diseases. Tricuspid surgery for severe TR is recommended during left valve surgery, and consists of either a valve replacement or, most often, a tricuspid repair with or without prosthetic annuloplasty. When TR persists or worsens after left valvular surgery, redo isolated tricuspid surgery is associated with high mortality. In addition, a sizeable proportion of patients present with tricuspid surgery deterioration over time, and need a reintervention, which is associated with high morbi-mortality rates. In this context, and given the recent major breakthrough in the percutaneous treatment of aortic and mitral valve diseases, the tricuspid valve appears an appealing challenge, although it raises specific issues. The first applications of transcatheter techniques for tricuspid valve disease were valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring implantation for degenerated bioprosthesis or ring annuloplasty. Some concerns remain regarding prosthesis sizing, rapid ventricular pacing and the best approach, but these procedures appear to be safe and effective. More recently, bicuspidization using a transcatheter approach for the treatment of native tricuspid valve has been published, in two patients. Finally, other devices are in preclinical development. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  17. A rare native mitral valve endocarditis successfully treated after surgical correction

    PubMed Central

    Garcia, Daniel C; Nascimento, Rhanderson; Soto, Victor; Mendoza, Cesar E

    2014-01-01

    Mycobacterium abscessus and Kocuria species are rare causes of infections in humans. Endocarditis by these agents has been reported in only 11 cases. M. abscessus is a particularly resistant organism and treatment requires the association of antibiotics for a prolonged period of time. We report a case of native mitral valve bacterial endocarditis due to M. abscessus and Kocuria species in a 48-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use. The case was complicated by a perforation of the posterior mitral valve leaflet, leading to surgical mitral valve replacement. Cultures from the blood and mitral valve disclosed M. abscessus and Kocuria species. The patient was treated for 6 months with clarithromycin, imipenem and amikacin, with resolution of symptoms. Repeated blood cultures were negative. Acid-fast staining should be done in subacute endocarditis in order to identify rapidly growing mycobacteria. PMID:25270154

  18. Successful treatment of pure aortic insufficiency with transapical implantation of the JenaValve.

    PubMed

    Bleiziffer, Sabine; Mazzitelli, Domenico; Nöbauer, Christian; Ried, Thomas; Lange, Rüdiger

    2013-08-01

    Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was predominantly developed for patients with severe calcified aortic stenosis, as most devices are designed to anchor within the native valve calcium. We report on a patient with pure insufficiency of a non-calcified aortic valve, in whom an anatomically oriented catheter valve was implanted successfully. The design of the prosthesis with position feelers engaging the native aortic valve leaflets proved to be suitable for the treatment of pure aortic insufficiency. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  19. Microprocessor-Based Valved Controller

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Norman, Arnold M., Jr.

    1987-01-01

    New controller simpler, more precise, and lighter than predecessors. Mass-flow controller compensates for changing supply pressure and temperature such as occurs when gas-supply tank becomes depleted. By periodically updating calculation of mass-flow rate, controller determines correct new position for valve and keeps mass-flow rate nearly constant.

  20. [Foreign body in the tricuspid valve with valvular insufficiency and right-left shunt].

    PubMed

    Delebarre, P; Augustin-Normand, C; Capronier, C; Cramer, J; Godeau, P; Letac, B; Forman, J; Maurice, P; Ourbak, P

    1987-05-01

    We present the case of a 50-year old man who progressively developed tricuspid valve insufficiency with opening of a patent foramen ovale responsible for right-to-left shunt with polycythaemia. The tricuspid valve insufficiency was due to a foreign body, probably of surgical origin as suggested by its radiological image and by the patient's previous history. It would have been introduced, far away from the tricuspid valve (compound fracture of the wrist), several years previously. At surgery, we found the foreign body embedded in the valve system. As a possible mechanism for the mutilation, an undiagnosed endocarditis was suspected but could not be confirmed. Three cases tricuspid endocarditis (with foreign bodies in the right ventricle) and 3 cases of asymptomatic tricuspid valve foreign bodies have been published. Fifty-five cases of foreign bodies introduced peripherally and migrated into the heart, the pericardium and the pulmonary artery are reviewed.

  1. Excess flow shutoff valve

    DOEpatents

    Kiffer, Micah S.; Tentarelli, Stephen Clyde

    2016-02-09

    Excess flow shutoff valve comprising a valve body, a valve plug, a partition, and an activation component where the valve plug, the partition, and activation component are disposed within the valve body. A suitable flow restriction is provided to create a pressure difference between the upstream end of the valve plug and the downstream end of the valve plug when fluid flows through the valve body. The pressure difference exceeds a target pressure difference needed to activate the activation component when fluid flow through the valve body is higher than a desired rate, and thereby closes the valve.

  2. Banking cryopreserved heart valves in Europe: assessment of a 5-year operation in an international tissue bank in Brussels.

    PubMed

    Goffin, Y; Grandmougin, D; Van Hoeck, B

    1996-01-01

    The heart valve bank of the European Homograft Bank has been set up in 1988 to meet the growing demand of cardiac surgeons for various sized and quality controlled cryopreserved homografts. Heart valve donors less than 60 years of age were classified in 3 categories: multiorgan donors with non transplantable hearts, recipients of cardiac transplantation and non beating heart cadavers with a warm ischemic time of less than 6 hours. Past history and biology were checked for transmissible diseases. Preparation, progressive freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen vapors, and quality control were according to the standards of the Belgian Ministry of Health. From end January 1989 to end May 1994, 989 homograft valves were cryopreserved (514 pulmonary, 475 aortic and 3 mitral) whereas 962 valves were discarded. The first cause of rejection being a major macroscopic lesion (41.48%). 138 hearts accepted at inspection were contaminated and 43 cases remained so after antibiotics. 38 cases were positive for hepatitis B or C. Complication at distribution and thawing included 10 instances of bag rupture and 15 of transversal fracture through the wall of the conduit. 477 aortic, 474 pulmonary valves as well as one mitral were implanted between May 1989 and May 1994, either for left or right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. In the left ventricular outflow tract series 111 aortic and 23 pulmonary homograft valves were used in cases of native endocarditis, prosthetic endocarditis or recurrent endocarditis after homograft implantation. 9.6% of the requests could no be satisfied. Regular follow up information was available from 382 implants-40.1% only. The assessment of 5 years operation of the heart valve bank indicates: 1) the efficiency of selecting, cryopreserving and allocating quality controlled homograft valves from a large pool of donor hearts provided by a network of hospitals; 2) the difficulty of obtaining regular follow up information on the implants.

  3. Performance of stented biological valves for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Buchholz, Christian; Mayr, Andreas; Purbojo, Ariawan; Glöckler, Martin; Toka, Okan; Cesnjevar, Robert A; Rüffer, André

    2016-12-01

    This retrospective single-centre review presents mid- and long-term results of stented biological valves (SBVs) in the pulmonary position. Fifty-two SBVs (17 Carpentier-Edwards Supraannular; 13 Carpentier-Edwards Perimount; 12 St. Jude Medical Trifecta; 4 Sorin Mitroflow; 4 Sorin Soprano; 2 Sorin More) were implanted between 2000 and 2015. The median valve size, patient age and weight were 23 mm (range 19-27), 22.8 years (range 5-77) and 62.0 kg (range 14-110), respectively. The main cardiac diagnosis was tetralogy of Fallot in 26 patients (50%). Forty-four patients (85%) had previous cardiac surgery; 12 patients (23%) had previous conduit or biological valve replacement. Valve degeneration was defined as a valvular peak pressure gradient >50 mmHg or pulmonary valve regurgitation more than moderate. The mean follow-up was 7.9 ± 5.5 years. Two patients died after 5.8 and 6.1 years of causes not related to SBVs. Eleven SBVs (21%) had to be replaced surgically (n = 6) or interventionally (n = 5) after 9.0 ± 4.1 years due to valve degeneration (n = 8), endocarditis (n = 2) or right ventricular dysfunction (n = 1). The rates of freedom from valve replacement were 100%, 92% [95% confidence interval (CI) 79-97], 81% (CI 64-91) and 60% (CI 40-78) after 1, 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Successful interventional valve-in-valve implantation resulted in 100% freedom from surgical valve replacement in all patients older than 19.1 years. Multivariate analysis identified patient age <19.1 years (P = 0.007) as a risk factor for earlier valve degeneration. SBVs in the pulmonary position showed encouraging long-term results in mature patients. The design of SBVs enables interventional valve implantation, postponing the need for reoperation. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

  4. Outlet strut fracture of Björk-Shiley convexo-concave valves: can valve-manufacturing characteristics explain the risk?

    PubMed

    Omar, R Z; Morton, L S; Beirne, M; Blot, W J; Lawford, P V; Hose, R; Taylor, K M

    2001-06-01

    Björk-Shiley 60 degrees convexo-concave prosthetic heart valves (Shiley, Inc, Irvine, Calif, a subsidiary of Pfizer, Inc) continue to be a concern for approximately 35,000 nonexplanted patients worldwide, with approximately 600 events reported to the manufacturer to date. Fractures of the outlet struts of the valves began to appear in the early 1980s and have continued to the present, but their causes are only partially understood. A matched case-control study was conducted evaluating manufacturing records for 52 valves with outlet strut fractures and 248 control subjects matched for age at implantation, valve size, and valve position. In addition to the risk factors recognized as determinants of outlet strut fracture, the United Kingdom case-control study has observed 7- to 9-fold increased risk with performance of multiple hook deflection tests. This test was performed more than once, usually after rework on the valve. Six valves in this study underwent multiple hook deflection tests, of which 4 experienced an outlet strut fracture. Cracks and further rework were noted for these valves. Significant associations were also observed between outlet strut fracture and disc-to-strut gap measurements taken before the attachment of the sewing ring. It is our view that a combination of factors related to valve design, manufacturing process, and patient characteristics are responsible for outlet strut fractures of Björk-Shiley convexo-concave valves. Multiple hook deflection tests have emerged as a potential new risk factor for outlet strut fracture in both The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. This factor appears to be correlated with the presence of other abnormalities. A further study is needed to investigate the factors correlated with multiple hook deflection tests. On confirmation of risk, the presence of multiple hook deflection tests may be added to equations, quantifying the risk of outlet strut fracture for comparison against risk of mortality and serious

  5. Valve assembly for use with high temperature and high pressure fluids

    DOEpatents

    De Feo, Angelo

    1982-01-01

    The valve assembly for use with high temperature and high pressure fluids has inner and outer spaced shells and a valve actuator support of inner and outer spaced members which are connected at their end portions to the inner and outer shells, respectively, to extend substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the inner shell. A layer of resilient heat insulating material covers the outer surfaces of the inner shell and the inner actuator support member and is of a thickness to only occupy part of the spaces between the inner and outer shells and inner and outer actuator support members. The remaining portion of the space between the inner and outer shells and the space between the inner and outer members is substantially filled with a body of castable, rigid refractory material. A movable valve member is disposed in the inner shell. A valve actuator assembly is supported in the valve actuator support to extend into the inner shell for connection with the movable valve member for movement of the movable valve member to positions from a fully open to a fully closed position to control flow of fluid through the inner shell. An anchor mneans is disposed adjacent opposite sides of the axis of the valve actuator support and attached to the inner shell so that relative radial movement between the inner and outer shell is permitted by the layer of resilient heat insulating material and relative longitudinal movement of the inner shell to the outer shell is permitted in opposite directions from the anchor means to thereby maintain the functional integrity of the movable valve member by providing an area of the inner shell surrounding the movable valve member longitdinally stationary, but at the same time allowing radial movement.

  6. Parental History of Diabetes, Positive Affect, and Diabetes Risk in Adults: Findings from MIDUS.

    PubMed

    Tsenkova, Vera K; Karlamangla, Arun S; Ryff, Carol D

    2016-12-01

    Family history of diabetes is one of the major risk factors for diabetes, but significant variability in this association remains unexplained, suggesting the presence of important effect modifiers. To our knowledge, no previous work has examined whether psychological factors moderate the degree to which family history of diabetes increases diabetes risk. We investigated the relationships among parental history of diabetes, affective states (positive affect, negative affect, and depressed affect), and diabetes in 978 adults from the MIDUS 2 national sample. As expected, parental history of diabetes was associated with an almost threefold increase in diabetes risk. We found a significant interaction between positive affect and parental history of diabetes on diabetes (p = .009): higher positive affect was associated with a statistically significant lower relative risk for diabetes in participants who reported having a parental history of diabetes (RR = .66 per unit increase in positive affect; 95 % CI = .47; .93), but it did not influence diabetes risk for participants who reported no parental history of diabetes (p = .34). This pattern persisted after adjusting for an extensive set of health and sociodemographic covariates and was independent of negative and depressed affect. These results suggest that psychological well-being may protect individuals at increased risk from developing diabetes. Understanding such interactions between non-modifiable risk factors and modifiable psychological resources is important for delineating biopsychosocial pathways to diabetes and informing theory-based, patient-centered interventions to prevent the development of diabetes.

  7. Incidence of mitral valve prolapse in one hundred clinically stable newborn baby girls: an echocardiographic study.

    PubMed

    Chandraratna, P A; Vlahovich, G; Kong, Y; Wilson, D

    1979-09-01

    Clinical and echocardiographic examinations were performed on 100 clinically stable, newborn baby girls. Mitral valve prolapse was noted on the echocardiograms of seven babies. Three subjects had systolic clicks, two of whom had systolic murmurs following the click. The four other babies who had echocardiographic evidence of mitral valve prolapse had no abnormal auscultatory signs. Of the 93 babies without evidence of mitral prolapse, 91 had normal echocardiograms and auscultatory features; one was noted to have a murmur consistent with a ventricular septal defect, and another had an eccentric aortic valve on the echocardiogram which was suggestive of a bicuspid aortic valve. Serial studies on our group of subjects will yield useful information regarding the natural history of mitral valve prolapse.

  8. Outcome of bioprosthetic valve replacement in dogs with tricuspid valve dysplasia.

    PubMed

    Bristow, P; Sargent, J; Luis Fuentes, V; Brockman, D

    2017-04-01

    To describe the short-term and long-term outcome in dogs with tricuspid valve dysplasia undergoing tricuspid valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass. Data were collected from the hospital records of all dogs that had undergone tricuspid valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass between 2006 and 2012. Dogs were considered candidates for tricuspid valve replacement if they had severe tricuspid valve regurgitation associated with clinical signs of cardiac compromise. Nine dogs of six different breeds were presented. Median age was 13 months (range 7 to 61 months), median weight 26·5 kg (range 9·7 to 59 kg). Eight bovine pericardial valves and one porcine aortic valve were used. One non-fatal intraoperative complication occurred. Complications during hospitalisation occurred in six dogs, four of which were fatal. Of the five dogs discharged, one presented dead due to haemothorax after minor trauma seven days later. The four remaining dogs survived a median of 533 days; all of these dogs received a bovine pericardial valve. Based on our results, tricuspid valve replacement with bovine or porcine prosthetic valves is associated with a high incidence of complications. © 2017 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

  9. Tricuspid regurgitation after successful mitral valve surgery

    PubMed Central

    Katsi, Vasiliki; Raftopoulos, Leonidas; Aggeli, Constantina; Vlasseros, Ioannis; Felekos, Ioannis; Tousoulis, Dimitrios; Stefanadis, Christodoulos; Kallikazaros, Ioannis

    2012-01-01

    The tricuspid valve (TV) is inseparably connected with the mitral valve (MV) in terms of function. Any pathophysiological condition concerning the MV is potentially a threat for the normal function of the TV as well. One of the most challenging cases is functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after surgical MV correction. In the past, TR was considered to progressively revert with time after left-sided valve restoration. Nevertheless, more recent studies showed that TR could develop and evolve postoperatively over time, as well as being closely associated with a poorer prognosis in terms of morbidity and mortality. Pressure and volume overload are usually the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms; structural alterations, like tricuspid annulus dilatation, increased leaflet tethering and right ventricular remodelling are almost always present when regurgitation develops. The most important risk factors associated with a higher probability of late TR development involve the elderly, female gender, larger left atrial size, atrial fibrillation, right chamber dilatation, higher pulmonary artery systolic pressures, longer times from the onset of MV disease to surgery, history of rheumatic heart disease, ischaemic heart disease and prosthetic valve malfunction. The time of TR manifestation can be up to 10 years or more after an MV surgery. Echocardiography, including the novel 3D Echo techniques, is crucial in the early diagnosis and prognosis of future TV disease development. Appropriate surgical technique and timing still need to be clarified. PMID:22457188

  10. Early Outcomes for Valve-in-valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Degenerative Freestyle Bioprostheses.

    PubMed

    Sang, Stephane Leung Wai; Beute, Tyler; Heiser, John; Berkompas, Duane; Fanning, Justin; Merhi, William

    2017-11-20

    Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is used increasingly to treat bioprosthetic valve failure. A paucity of data exists regarding valve-in-valve (ViV) TAVR in degenerated Freestyle stentless bioprostheses (FSBs). This study sought to evaluate the feasibility and short-term outcomes of ViV TAVR in previously placed FSB. From October 2014 to September 2016, 22 patients at a single institution underwent ViV TAVR with a self-expanding transcatheter valve for a failing FSB. Patient baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes data were collected retrospectively and entered into a dedicated database. The mean patient age was 74 ± 9years, and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons' Risk score was 9.0 ± 7.4%. Ten patients presented with acute heart failure requiring urgent intervention. The most common mode of failure of the FSB was regurgitation caused by a flail or malcoapting leaflet. Seventeen (77%) patients had a modified subcoronary implantation, 3 (14%) had a full root replacement, and 2 (9%) had a root inclusion. Device success using a self-expanding transcatheter valve was 95%, all via transfemoral approach. The mean implant depth was 7 ± 3 mm. Thirty-day survival was 100%. No patient had more than mild paravalvular regurgitation at 30days, and the permanent pacemaker rate was 9%. The mean hospital stay after intervention was 5 ± 2days. ViV TAVR using a self-expanding transcatheter valve is safe, feasible, and can be used successfully to treat a failed FSB. Procedural challenges suggest referral to valve centers of excellence. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Quickly Removable Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Robbins, John S.

    1988-01-01

    Unit removed with minimal disturbance. Valve inlet and outlet ports adjacent to each other on same side of valve body. Ports inserted into special manifold on fluid line. Valve body attached to manifold by four bolts or, alternatively, by toggle clamps. Electromechanical actuator moves in direction parallel to fluid line to open and close valve. When necessary to clean valve, removed simply by opening bolts or toggle clamps. No need to move or separate ports of fluid line. Valve useful where disturbance of fluid line detrimental or where fast maintenance essential - in oil and chemical industries, automotive vehicles, aircraft, and powerplants.

  12. Ball valve extractor

    DOEpatents

    Herndon, Charles; Brown, Roger A.

    2002-01-01

    An apparatus and process for removing a ball valve is provided. The ball valve removal tool provides a handle sliding along the length of a shaft. One end of the shaft is secured within an interior cavity of a ball valve while the opposite end of the shaft defines a stop member. By providing a manual sliding force to the handle, the handle impacts the stop member and transmits the force to the ball valve. The direction of the force is along the shaft of the removal tool and disengages the ball valve from the ball valve housing.

  13. Bellows sealed plug valve

    DOEpatents

    Dukas, Jr., Stephen J.

    1990-01-01

    A bellows sealed plug valve includes a valve body having an inlet passage and an outlet passage, a valve chamber between the inlet and outlet passages. A valve plug has substantially the same shape as the valve chamber and is rotatably disposed therein. A shaft is movable linearly in response to a signal from a valve actuator. A bellows is sealingly disposed between the valve chamber and the valve actuator and means are located between the bellows and the valve plug for converting linear movement of the shaft connected to the valve actuator to rotational movement of the plug. Various means are disclosed including helical thread mechanism, clevis mechanism and rack and pinion mechanism, all for converting linear motion to rotational motion.

  14. Check valve installation in pilot operated relief valve prevents reverse pressurization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oswalt, L.

    1966-01-01

    Two check valves prevent reverse flow through pilot-operated relief valves of differential area piston design. Title valves control pressure flow to ensure that the piston dome pressure is always at least as great as the main relief valve discharge pressure.

  15. The patient inflating valve in anaesthesia and resuscitation breathing systems.

    PubMed

    Fenton, P M; Bell, G

    2013-03-01

    Patient inflating valves combined with self-inflating bags are known to all anaesthetists as resuscitation devices and are familiar as components of draw-over anaesthesia systems. Their variants are also commonplace in transfer and home ventilators. However, the many variations in structure and function have led to difficulties in their optimal use, definition and classification. After reviewing the relevant literature, we defined a patient inflating valve as a one-way valve that closes an exit port to enable lung inflation, also permitting exhalation and spontaneous breathing, the actions being automatic. We present a new classification based on the mechanism of valve opening/closure; namely elastic recoil of a flexible flap/diaphragm, sliding spindle opened by a spring/magnet or a hollow balloon collapsed by external pressure. The evolution of these valves has been driven by the difficulties documented in critical incidents, which we have used along with information from modern International Organization for Standardization standards to identify 13 ideal properties, the top six of which are non-jamming, automatic, no bypass effect, no rebreathing or air entry at patient end, low resistance, robust and easy to service. The Ambu and the Laerdal valves have remained popular due to their simplicity and reliability. Two new alternatives, the Fenton and Diamedica valves, offer the benefits of location away from the patient while retaining a small functional dead space. They also offer the potential for greater use of hybrid continuous flow/draw-over systems that can operate close to atmospheric pressure. The reliable application of positive end-expiratory pressure/continuous positive airway pressure remains a challenge.

  16. Patient-specific simulation of guidewire deformation during transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

    PubMed

    Vy, Phuoc; Auffret, Vincent; Castro, Miguel; Badel, Pierre; Rochette, Michel; Haigron, Pascal; Avril, Stéphane

    2018-06-01

    Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a recent mini-invasive procedure to implant an aortic valve prosthesis. Prosthesis positioning in transcatheter aortic valve implantation appears as an important aspect for the success of the intervention. Accordingly, we developed a patient-specific finite element framework to predict the insertion of the stiff guidewire, used to position the aortic valve. We simulated the guidewire insertion for 2 patients based on their pre-operative CT scans. The model was designed to primarily predict the position and the angle of the guidewires in the aortic valve, and the results were successfully compared with intraoperative images. The present paper describes extensively the numerical model, which was solved by using the ANSYS software with an implicit resolution scheme, as well as the stabilization techniques which were used to overcome numerical instabilities. We performed sensitivity analysis on the properties of the guidewire (curvature angle, curvature radius, and stiffness) and the conditions of insertion (insertion force and orientation). We also explored the influence of the model parameters. The accuracy of the model was quantitatively evaluated as the distance and the angle difference between the simulated guidewires and the intraoperative ones. A good agreement was obtained between the model predictions and intraoperative views available for 2 patient cases. In conclusion, we showed that the shape of the guidewire in the aortic valve was mainly determined by the geometry of the patient's aorta and by the conditions of insertion (insertion force and orientation). Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. Study on the Regulating Performance of Sliding Regulation-Valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Wei; Peng, Xiaoyong; Zhang, Yuan; Zheng, Yulan; Zhu, Fangyao

    2018-01-01

    Using a proven reliable method of CFD to study the regulating performance of a sliding regulation valve with a conical spool and rugby body. The numerical simulation results indicate that no matter where the spool is located, the flow field always has a vortex at the center of the valve body; When the spool is at the origin, the vortex and resistance coefficient of the valve are the minimum; When the spool moves from the origin to the right (the opening of the valve becomes smaller) to reach a certain position later, vortex currents also begin to appear around the tube wall behind the orifice. In addition, the vortex increases as the throttling port decreases whereas the resistance coefficient of the valve ascends slowly with the increase of the deviation of the spool and the rise in series; This type of regulating valve has S type (slow at both ends, sensitive at the center) flow characteristics at the stroke, and is not affected by the size of Re.

  18. Globe stability during simulated vitrectomy with valved and non-valved trocar cannulas

    PubMed Central

    Abulon, Dina Joy; Charles, Martin; Charles, Daniel E

    2015-01-01

    Purpose To compare the effects of valved and non-valved cannulas on intraocular pressure (IOP), fluid leakage, and vitreous incarceration during simulated vitrectomy. Methods Three-port pars plana incisions were generated in six rubber eyes using 23-, 25-, and 27-gauge valved and non-valved trocar cannulas. The models were filled with air and IOP was measured. Similar procedures were followed for 36 acrylic eyes filled with saline solution. Vitreous incarceration was analyzed in eleven rabbit and twelve porcine cadaver eyes. Results In the air-filled model, IOP loss was 89%–94% when two non-valved cannulas were unoccupied versus 1%–5% when two valved cannulas were unoccupied. In the fluid-filled model, with non-valved cannulas, IOP dropped while fluid leaked from the open ports. With two open ports, the IOP dropped to 20%–30% of set infusion pressure, regardless of infusion pressure and IOP compensation. The IOP was maintained in valved cannulas when one or two ports were left open, regardless of IOP compensation settings. There was no or minimal fluid leakage through open ports at any infusion pressure. Direct microscopic analysis of rabbit eyes showed that vitreous incarceration was significantly greater with 23-gauge non-valved than valved cannulas (P<0.005), and endoscopy of porcine eyes showed that vitreous incarceration was significantly greater with 23-gauge (P<0.05) and 27-gauge (P<0.05) non-valved cannulas. External observation of rabbit eyes showed vitreous prolapse through non-valved, but not valved, cannulas. Conclusion Valved cannulas surpassed non-valved cannulas in maintaining IOP, preventing fluid leakage, and reducing vitreous incarceration during simulated vitrectomy. PMID:26445520

  19. Microfluidic sieve valves

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Quake, Stephen R; Marcus, Joshua S; Hansen, Carl L

    2015-01-13

    Sieve valves for use in microfluidic device are provided. The valves are useful for impeding the flow of particles, such as chromatography beads or cells, in a microfluidic channel while allowing liquid solution to pass through the valve. The valves find particular use in making microfluidic chromatography modules.

  20. Problem: Heart Valve Stenosis

    MedlinePlus

    ... valve . Learn about the different types of stenosis: Aortic stenosis Tricuspid stenosis Pulmonary stenosis Mitral stenosis Outlook for ... Disease "Innocent" Heart Murmur Problem: Valve Stenosis - Problem: Aortic Valve Stenosis - Problem: Mitral Valve Stenosis - Problem: Tricuspid Valve Stenosis - ...

  1. Internal Acoustics of a Pintle Valve with Supercritical Helium Flow

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fishbach, Sean R.; Davis, R. Benjamin

    2010-01-01

    Large amplitude flow unsteadiness is a common phenomenon within the high flow rate ducts and valves associated with propulsion systems. Boundary layer noise, shear layers and vortex shedding are a few of the many sources of flow oscillations. The presence of lightly damped acoustic modes can organize and amplify these sources of flow perturbation, causing undesirable loading of internal parts. The present study investigates the self-induced acoustic environment within a pintle valve subject to high Reynolds Number flow of helium gas. Experiments were conducted to measure the internal pressure oscillations of the Ares I Launch Abort System (LAS) Attitude Control Motor (ACM) valve. The AGM consists of a solid propellant gas generator with eight pintle valves attached to the aft end. The pintle valve is designed to deliver variable upstream conditions to an attache( converging diverging nozzle. In order to investigate the full range of operating conditions 28 separate tests were conducted with varying pintle position and upstream pressure. Helium gas was utilized in order to closely mimic the speed of sound of the gas generator exhaust, minimizing required scaling during data analysis. The recordec pressure measurements were interrogated to multiple ends. The development of root mean square (RMS) value! versus Reynolds Number and Pintle position are important to creating bounding unsteady load curves for valve internal parts. Spectral analysis was also performed, helping to identify power spectral densities (PSD) of acoustic natural frequencies and boundary layer noise. An interesting and unexpected result was the identification of an acoustic mode within the valve which does not respond until the valve was over 60% open. Further, the response amplitude around this mode can be as large or larger than those associated with lower frequency modes.

  2. Spectrum of Aortic Valve Abnormalities Associated with Aortic Dilation Across Age Groups in Turner Syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Olivieri, Laura J.; Baba, Ridhwan Y.; Arai, Andrew E.; Bandettini, W. Patricia; Rosing, Douglas R.; Bakalov, Vladimir; Sachdev, Vandana; Bondy, Carolyn A.

    2014-01-01

    Background Congenital aortic valve fusion is associated with aortic dilation, aneurysm and rupture in girls and women with Turner syndrome (TS). Our objective was to characterize aortic valve structure in subjects with TS, and determine the prevalence of aortic dilation and valve dysfunction associated with different types of aortic valves. Methods and Results The aortic valve and thoracic aorta were characterized by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in 208 subjects with TS in an IRB-approved natural history study. Echocardiography was used to measure peak velocities across the aortic valve, and the degree of aortic regurgitation. Four distinct valve morphologies were identified: tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) 64%(n=133), partially fused aortic valve (PF) 12%(n=25), bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) 23%(n=47), and unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) 1%(n=3). Age and body surface area (BSA) were similar in the 4 valve morphology groups. There was a significant trend, independent of age, towards larger BSA-indexed ascending aortic diameters (AADi) with increasing valve fusion. AADi were (mean +/− SD) 16.9 +/− 3.3 mm/m2, 18.3 +/− 3.3 mm/m2, and 19.8 +/− 3.9 mm/m2 (p<0.0001) for TAV, PF and BAV+UAV respectively. PF, BAV, and UAV were significantly associated with mild aortic regurgitation and elevated peak velocities across the aortic valve. Conclusions Aortic valve abnormalities in TS occur with a spectrum of severity, and are associated with aortic root dilation across age groups. Partial fusion of the aortic valve, traditionally regarded as an acquired valve problem, had an equal age distribution and was associated with an increased AADi. PMID:24084490

  3. Zero-leak valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Macglashan, W. F., Jr.

    1980-01-01

    Zero-leakage valve has fluid-sealing diaphragm support and flat sievelike sealing surface. Diaphragm-support valve is easy to fabricate and requires minimum maintenance. Potential applications include isolation valve for waste systems and remote air-actuated valve. Device is also useful in controlling flow of liquid fluorine and corrosive fluids at high pressures.

  4. Redo aortic valve surgery versus transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for failing surgical bioprosthetic valves: consecutive patients in a single-center setting

    PubMed Central

    Wottke, Michael; Deutsch, Marcus-André; Krane, Markus; Piazza, Nicolo; Lange, Ruediger; Bleiziffer, Sabine

    2015-01-01

    Background Due to a considerable rise in bioprosthetic as opposed to mechanical valve implantations, an increase of patients presenting with failing bioprosthetic surgical valves in need of a reoperation is to be expected. Redo surgery may pose a high-risk procedure. Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation is an innovative, less-invasive treatment alternative for these patients. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the outcome of consecutive patients after a valve-in-valve TAVI [transcatheter aortic valve-in-surgical aortic valve (TAV-in-SAV)] as compared to a standard reoperation [surgical aortic valve redo-operation (SAV-in-SAV)] has not yet been performed. The goal of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes after TAV-in-SAV and SAV-in-SAV in a single center setting. Methods All SAV-in-SAV and TAV-in-SAV patients from January 2001 to October 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with previous mechanical or transcatheter valves, active endocarditis and concomitant cardiac procedures were excluded. Patient characteristics, preoperative data, post-procedural complications, and 30-day mortality were collected from a designated database. Mean values ± SD were calculated for all continuous variables. Counts and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. The Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Continuous variables were compared using the t-test for independent samples. A 2-sided P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 102 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 50 patients (49%) underwent a transcatheter valve-in-valve procedure, while 52 patients (51%) underwent redo-surgery. Patients in the TAV-in-SAV group were significantly older, had a higher mean logistic EuroSCORE and exhibited a lower mean left ventricular ejection fraction than patients in the SAV-in-SAV group (78.1±6.7 vs. 66.2±13.1, P<0.001; 27.4±18.7 vs. 14.4±10, P<0.001; and 49.8±13

  5. Rotary pneumatic valve

    DOEpatents

    Hardee, Harry C.

    1991-01-01

    A rotary pneumatic valve which is thrust balanced and the pneumatic pressure developed produces only radial loads on the valve cylinder producing negligible resistance and thus minimal torque on the bearings of the valve. The valve is multiplexed such that at least two complete switching cycles occur for each revolution of the cylinder spindle.

  6. Transcatheter valve implantation can alter fluid flow fields in aortic sinuses and ascending aorta

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saikrishnan, Neelakantan; Yoganathan, Ajit

    2012-11-01

    Transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs) are valve replacements used to treat aortic stenosis. Currently, these have been used in elderly patients at high-risk for open-heart procedures. Since these devices are implanted under fluoroscopic guidance, the implantation position of the valve can vary with respect to the native aortic valve annulus. The current study characterizes the altered hemodynamics in the aortic sinus and ascending aorta under different implantation (high and low) and cardiac output (2.5 and 5.0 L/min) conditions. Two commonly used TAV designs are studied using 2-D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). 200 phase locked images are obtained at every 25ms in the cardiac cycle, and the resulting vector fields are ensemble averaged. High implantation of the TAV with respect to the annulus causes weaker sinus washout and weaker sinus vortex formation. Additionally, the longer TAV leaflets can also result in a weaker sinus vortex. The level of turbulent fluctuations in the ascending aorta did not appear to be affected by axial positioning of the valve, but varied with cardiac output. The results of this study indicates that TAV positioning is important to be considered clinically, since this can affect coronary perfusion and potential flow stagnation near the valve.

  7. Recellularization of decellularized heart valves: Progress toward the tissue-engineered heart valve

    PubMed Central

    VeDepo, Mitchell C; Detamore, Michael S; Hopkins, Richard A; Converse, Gabriel L

    2017-01-01

    The tissue-engineered heart valve portends a new era in the field of valve replacement. Decellularized heart valves are of great interest as a scaffold for the tissue-engineered heart valve due to their naturally bioactive composition, clinical relevance as a stand-alone implant, and partial recellularization in vivo. However, a significant challenge remains in realizing the tissue-engineered heart valve: assuring consistent recellularization of the entire valve leaflets by phenotypically appropriate cells. Many creative strategies have pursued complete biological valve recellularization; however, identifying the optimal recellularization method, including in situ or in vitro recellularization and chemical and/or mechanical conditioning, has proven difficult. Furthermore, while many studies have focused on individual parameters for increasing valve interstitial recellularization, a general understanding of the interacting dynamics is likely necessary to achieve success. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to explore and compare the various processing strategies used for the decellularization and subsequent recellularization of tissue-engineered heart valves. PMID:28890780

  8. Fabricating microfluidic valve master molds in SU-8 photoresist

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dy, Aaron J.; Cosmanescu, Alin; Sluka, James; Glazier, James A.; Stupack, Dwayne; Amarie, Dragos

    2014-05-01

    Multilayer soft lithography has become a powerful tool in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, material and life sciences, and medical research. Complex fluidic micro-circuits require reliable components that integrate easily into microchips. We introduce two novel approaches to master mold fabrication for constructing in-line micro-valves using SU-8. Our fabrication techniques enable robust and versatile integration of many lab-on-a-chip functions including filters, mixers, pumps, stream focusing and cell-culture chambers, with in-line valves. SU-8 created more robust valve master molds than the conventional positive photoresists used in multilayer soft lithography, but maintained the advantages of biocompatibility and rapid prototyping. As an example, we used valve master molds made of SU-8 to fabricate PDMS chips capable of precisely controlling beads or cells in solution.

  9. Structural valve deterioration in a starr-edwards mitral caged-disk valve prosthesis.

    PubMed

    Aoyagi, Shigeaki; Tayama, Kei-Ichiro; Okazaki, Teiji; Shintani, Yusuke; Kono, Michitaka; Wada, Kumiko; Kosuga, Ken-Ichi; Mori, Ryusuke; Tanaka, Hiroyuki

    2013-01-01

    The durability of the Starr-Edwards (SE) mitral caged-disk valve, model 6520, is not clearly known, and structural valve deterioration in the SE disk valve is very rare. Replacement of the SE mitral disk valve was performed in 7 patients 23-40 years after implantation. Macroscopic examination of the removed disk valves showed no structural abnormalities in 3 patients, in whom the disk valves were removed at <26 years after implantation. Localized disk wear was found at the sites where the disk abutted the struts of the cage, in disk valves excised >36 years after implantation in 4 patients. Disk fracture, a longitudinal split in the disk along its circumference at the site of incorporation of the titanium ring, was detected in the valves removed 36 and 40 years after implantation, respectively, and many cracks were also observed on the outflow aspect of the disk removed 40 years after implantation. Disk fracture and localized disk wear were found in the SE mitral disk valves implanted >36 years previously. The present results suggest that SE mitral caged-disk valves implanted >20 years previously should be carefully followed up, and that those implanted >30 years previously should be electively replaced with modern prosthetic valves

  10. Aortic valve repair leads to a low incidence of valve-related complications.

    PubMed

    Aicher, Diana; Fries, Roland; Rodionycheva, Svetlana; Schmidt, Kathrin; Langer, Frank; Schäfers, Hans-Joachim

    2010-01-01

    Aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation (AR) has been established as a standard treatment but implies prosthesis-related complications. Aortic valve repair is an alternative approach, but its mid- to long-term results still need to be defined. Over a 12-year period, 640 patients underwent aortic valve repair for regurgitation of a unicuspid (n=21), bicuspid (n=205), tricuspid (n=411) or quadricuspid (n=3) aortic valve. The mechanism of regurgitation involved prolapse (n=469) or retraction (n=20) of the cusps, and dilatation of the root (n=323) or combined pathologies. Treatment consisted of cusp repair (n=529), root repair (n=323) or a combination of both (n=208). The patients were followed clinically and echocardiographically; follow-up was complete in 98.5% (cumulative follow-up: 3035 patient years). Hospital mortality was 3.4% in the total patient cohort and 0.8% for isolated aortic valve repair. The incidences of thrombo-embolism (0.2% per patient per year) and endocarditis (0.16%per patient per year) were low. Freedom from re-operation at 5 and 10 years was 88% and 81% in bicuspid and 97% and 93% in tricuspid aortic valves (p=0.0013). At re-operation, 13 out of 36 valves could be re-repaired. Freedom from valve replacement was 95% and 90% in bicuspid and 97% and 94% in tricuspid aortic valves (p=0.36). Freedom from all valve-related complications at 10 years was 88%. Reconstructive surgery of the aortic valve is feasible with low mortality in many individuals with aortic regurgitation. Freedom from valve-related complications after valve repair seems superior compared to available data on standard aortic valve replacement. Copyright 2009 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. [Initial experience of transcatheter implantation with a new aortic valve in sheep].

    PubMed

    Wang, Jian-ming; Yang, Jian; Yang, Li-fang; Zhang, Xue-xin; Hu, Yun; Liu, Jin-cheng; Yu, Shi-qiang; Yi, Ding-hua

    2011-11-01

    To evaluate the feasibility and short-term results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using a new transcatheter valve. Twenty healthy adult sheep received general anesthesia. Under the guidance of X-ray and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), the new anti-calcification transcatheter valve was released from delivery system and implanted at the level of native aortic annulus via left common carotid artery. Position and function of the new anti-calcification transcatheter valve were evaluated by angiography and TTE immediately after intervention. Thirty day survival rate of animals was obtained. New transcatheter valves were implanted in all sheep. Fifteen sheep (75%) survived up to 30 days and post-operative examination showed that the transcatheter valve was in optimal position without migration and mitral valve impingement. The native coronary artery was patent in these animals. There was a slight paravalvular leak in 5 sheep. Postoperative echocardiography showed reflux percentage was significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared pre-intervention. Effective orifice area, aortic systolic pressure, diastolic aortic pressure, mean aortic pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure and heart rate were similar between post and pre-intervention (all P < 0.05). Five sheep died after TAVI within 30 days, including one fatal ventricular fibrillation occurred immediately after releasing the transcatheter valve and another sheep died of acute myocardial infarction due to left main coronary artery occlusion evidenced by angiography. Two sheep died of severe mitral regurgitation at 8 and 12 hours post-operation and one died of infective endocarditis at 26 days after intervention. Our favorable preliminary results showed that it was feasible to perform TAVI using the new transcatheter valve.

  12. Multi-port valve assembly

    DOEpatents

    Guggenheim, S. Frederic

    1986-01-01

    A multi-port fluid valve apparatus is used to control the flow of fluids through a plurality of valves and includes a web, which preferably is a stainless steel endless belt. The belt has an aperture therethrough and is progressed, under motor drive and control, so that its aperture is moved from one valve mechanism to another. Each of the valve mechanisms comprises a pair of valve blocks which are held in fluid-tight relationship against the belt. Each valve block consists of a block having a bore through which the fluid flows, a first seal surrounding the bore and a second seal surrounding the first seal, with the distance between the first and second seals being greater than the size of the belt aperture. In order to open a valve, the motor progresses the belt aperture to where it is aligned with the two bores of a pair of valve blocks, such alignment permitting a flow of the fluid through the valve. The valve is closed by movement of the belt aperture and its replacement, within the pair of valve blocks, by a solid portion of the belt.

  13. Valve in valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) versus redo-Surgical aortic valve replacement (redo-SAVR): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Nalluri, Nikhil; Atti, Varunsiri; Munir, Abdullah B; Karam, Boutros; Patel, Nileshkumar J; Kumar, Varun; Vemula, Praveen; Edla, Sushruth; Asti, Deepak; Paturu, Amrutha; Gayam, Sriramya; Spagnola, Jonathan; Barsoum, Emad; Maniatis, Gregory A; Tamburrino, Frank; Kandov, Ruben; Lafferty, James; Kliger, Chad

    2018-05-20

    Bioprosthetic (BP) valves have been increasingly used for aortic valve replacement over the last decade. Due to their limited durability, patients presenting with failed BP valves are rising. Valve in Valve - Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (ViV-TAVI) emerged as an alternative to the gold standard redo-Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (redo-SAVR). However, the utility of ViV-TAVI is poorly understood. A systematic electronic search of the scientific literature was done in PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Only studies which compared the safety and efficacy of ViV-TAVI and redo-SAVR head to head in failed BP valves were included. Six observational studies were eligible and included 594 patients, of whom 255 underwent ViV- TAVI and 339 underwent redo-SAVR. There was no significant difference between ViV-TAVI and redo- SAVR for procedural, 30 day and 1 year mortality rates. ViV-TAVI was associated with lower risk of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) (OR: 0.43, CI: 0.21-0.89; P = 0.02) and a trend toward increased risk of paravalvular leak (PVL) (OR: 5.45, CI: 0.94-31.58; P = 0.06). There was no significant difference for stroke, major bleeding, vascular complications and postprocedural aortic valvular gradients more than 20 mm-hg. Our results reiterate the safety and feasibility of ViV-TAVI for failed aortic BP valves in patients deemed to be at high risk for surgery. VIV-TAVI was associated with lower risk of permanent pacemaker implantation with a trend toward increased risk of paravalvular leak. © 2018, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Mammographic findings of breast cancer screening in patients with positive family history in South-East Nigeria.

    PubMed

    Ebubedike, U R; Umeh, E O; C Anyanwu, S N

    2018-06-01

    A positive family history of breast cancer is an important risk factor associated with the development of breast cancer in women. Early detection required regular screening in these women. To determine the mammographic findings of breast cancer screening in patients with a positive family history in Iyienu, Southeast Nigeria. Forty-three consenting females with a positive family history of breast cancer who underwent mammographic screening at Radiology Department, Iyienu Mission Hospital, Anambra State, were enrolled in the study. Mammographic findings were compared with those of females with a negative family history. The mean age was 49.6 years with a range of 35-69 years. The mammographic findings were asymmetric density, nipple retraction, tissue retraction, skin thickening, lymphadenopathy, and calcification within a mass with varying frequency for the right and left breasts. A significant statistical difference was found in lymphadenopathy and calcification for the right and left breasts, respectively, when compared with those without positive family history.

  15. Force measuring valve assemblies, systems including such valve assemblies and related methods

    DOEpatents

    DeWall, Kevin George [Pocatello, ID; Garcia, Humberto Enrique [Idaho Falls, ID; McKellar, Michael George [Idaho Falls, ID

    2012-04-17

    Methods of evaluating a fluid condition may include stroking a valve member and measuring a force acting on the valve member during the stroke. Methods of evaluating a fluid condition may include measuring a force acting on a valve member in the presence of fluid flow over a period of time and evaluating at least one of the frequency of changes in the measured force over the period of time and the magnitude of the changes in the measured force over the period of time to identify the presence of an anomaly in a fluid flow and, optionally, its estimated location. Methods of evaluating a valve condition may include directing a fluid flow through a valve while stroking a valve member, measuring a force acting on the valve member during the stroke, and comparing the measured force to a reference force. Valve assemblies and related systems are also disclosed.

  16. The effect of positive family history of autoimmunity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis characteristics; a case control study.

    PubMed

    Khani, Mehdi; Ziaee, Vahid; Moradinejad, Mohamad-Hassan; Parvaneh, Nima

    2013-10-01

    To compare Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients with and without family history of autoimmune disease with respect to clinical features and laboratory data. Sixteen JIA patients with family history of autoimmune disease were identified during study, 32 patients were chosen for comparative group from referred patients to the rheumatology clinic according to the date of referral. Two groups were compared with respect to age of onset, sex, subtype, disease activity, duration of active disease and laboratory variables. The age of onset was significantly lower in JIA patients with family history of autoimmunity (4.7 years vs. 7.0 years; P=0.02), polyarthicular subtype was more frequent in patients with positive family history (50% vs.25%; P=0.04) most of JIA patients with positive family history were in the active phase at the time of study (64% vs 25%; P=0.02) and had a longer duration of active disease (21.0 months vs 12.3 months; P=0.04). Patients with positive family history had more positive ANA (43.5%% vs 12.5%; P=0.01) and also more positive ADA (75% vs 20.8%; P=0.002). Two groups were similar according to sex, and other laboratory variables. JIA patients with family history of autoimmune disease seem to have a more severe disease than patients without such family history, they are younger at the onset, and have mostly poyarthicular subtype. They also have more ANA and ADA positivity. These findings are different from familial JIA case-control studies according to active disease duration, subtype, and ANA positivity.

  17. Incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in patients undergoing minimally invasive valve surgery.

    PubMed

    LaPietra, Angelo; Santana, Orlando; Mihos, Christos G; DeBeer, Steven; Rosen, Gerald P; Lamas, Gervasio A; Lamelas, Joseph

    2014-07-01

    Minimally invasive valve surgery has been associated with increased cerebrovascular complications. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in patients undergoing minimally invasive valve surgery. We retrospectively reviewed all the minimally invasive valve surgery performed at our institution from January 2009 to June 2012. The operative times, lengths of stay, postoperative complications, and mortality were analyzed. A total of 1501 consecutive patients were identified. The mean age was 73 ± 13 years, and 808 patients (54%) were male. Of the 1501 patients, 206 (13.7%) had a history of a cerebrovascular accident, and 225 (15%) had undergone previous heart surgery. The procedures performed were 617 isolated aortic valve replacements (41.1%), 658 isolated mitral valve operations (43.8%), 6 tricuspid valve repairs (0.4%), 216 double valve surgery (14.4%), and 4 triple valve surgery (0.3%). Femoral cannulation was used in 1359 patients (90.5%) and central cannulation in 142 (9.5%). In 1392 patients (92.7%), the aorta was clamped, and in 109 (7.3%), the surgery was performed with the heart fibrillating. The median aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 86 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 70-107) minutes and 116 minutes (IQR, 96-143), respectively. The median intensive care unit length of stay was 47 hours (IQR, 29-74), and the median postoperative hospital length of stay was 7 days (IQR, 5-10). A total of 23 cerebrovascular accidents (1.53%) and 38 deaths (2.53%) had occurred at 30 days postoperatively. Minimally invasive valve surgery was associated with an acceptable stroke rate, regardless of the cannulation technique. Copyright © 2014 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Natural history of echocardiographic abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis III.

    PubMed

    Wilhelm, Carolyn M; Truxal, Kristen V; McBride, Kim L; Kovalchin, John P; Flanigan, Kevin M

    2018-06-01

    Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type III, Sanfilippo Syndrome, is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. MPS I and II patients often develop cardiac involvement leading to early mortality, however there are limited data in MPS III. The objective of this study is to describe cardiac abnormalities in a large group of MPS III patients followed in a longitudinal natural history study designed to determine outcome measures for gene transfer trials. A single center study of MPS III patients who were enrolled in the Nationwide Children's Hospital natural history study in 2014. Two cardiologists reviewed all patient echocardiograms for anatomic, valvular, and functional abnormalities. Valve abnormalities were defined as abnormal morphology, trivial mitral regurgitation (MR) with abnormal morphology or at least mild MR, and any aortic regurgitation (AR). Abnormal left ventricular (LV) function was defined as ejection fraction < 50%. Group comparisons were assessed using two-sample t-tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests for continuous variables and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables. Twenty-five patients, 15 Type A and 10 Type B MPS III, underwent 45 echocardiograms. Fifteen patients (60%) demonstrated an abnormal echocardiographic finding with age at first abnormal echocardiogram within the study being 6.8 ± 2.8 years. Left-sided valve abnormalities were common over time: 7 mitral valve thickening, 2 mitral valve prolapse, 16 MR (8 mild, 8 trivial), 3 aortic valve thickening, and 9 AR (7 mild, 2 trivial). Two patients had asymmetric LV septal hypertrophy. No valvular stenosis or ventricular function abnormalities were noted. Incidental findings included: mild aortic root dilation (2), bicommissural aortic valve (1), and mild tricuspid regurgitation (3). Individuals with Sanfilippo A and B demonstrate a natural history of cardiac involvement with valvular abnormalities most common. In short-term follow up, patients demonstrated only

  19. Stem thrust prediction model for W-K-M double wedge parallel expanding gate valves

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Eldiwany, B.; Alvarez, P.D.; Wolfe, K.

    1996-12-01

    An analytical model for determining the required valve stem thrust during opening and closing strokes of W-K-M parallel expanding gate valves was developed as part of the EPRI Motor-Operated Valve Performance Prediction Methodology (EPRI MOV PPM) Program. The model was validated against measured stem thrust data obtained from in-situ testing of three W-K-M valves. Model predictions show favorable, bounding agreement with the measured data for valves with Stellite 6 hardfacing on the disks and seat rings for water flow in the preferred flow direction (gate downstream). The maximum required thrust to open and to close the valve (excluding wedging andmore » unwedging forces) occurs at a slightly open position and not at the fully closed position. In the nonpreferred flow direction, the model shows that premature wedging can occur during {Delta}P closure strokes even when the coefficients of friction at different sliding surfaces are within the typical range. This paper summarizes the model description and comparison against test data.« less

  20. Microfluidic droplet sorting using integrated bilayer micro-valves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Yuncong; Tian, Yang; Xu, Zhen; Wang, Xinran; Yu, Sicong; Dong, Liang

    2016-10-01

    This paper reports on a microfluidic device capable of sorting microfluidic droplets utilizing conventional bilayer pneumatic micro-valves as sorting controllers. The device consists of two micro-valves placed symmetrically on two sides of a sorting area, each on top of a branching channel at an inclined angle with respect to the main channel. Changes in transmitted light intensity, induced by varying light absorbance by each droplet, are used to divert the droplet from the sorting area into one of the three outlet channels. When no valve is activated, the droplet flows into the outlet channel in the direction of the main channel. When one of the valves is triggered, the flexible membrane of valve will first be deflected. Once the droplet leaves the detection point, the deflected membrane will immediately return to its default flattened position, thereby exerting a drawing pressure on the droplet and deviating it from its original streamline to the outlet on the same side as the valve. This sorting method will be particularly suitable for numerous large-scale integrated microfluidic systems, where pneumatic micro-valves are already used. Only few structural modifications are needed to achieve droplet sorting capabilities in these systems. Due to the mechanical nature of diverting energy applied to droplets, the proposed sorting method may induce only minimal interference to biological species or microorganisms encapsulated inside the droplets that may accompany electrical, optical and magnetic-based techniques.

  1. Pressure model of a four-way spool valve for simulating electrohydraulic control systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gebben, V. D.

    1976-01-01

    An equation that relates the pressure flow characteristics of hydraulic spool valves was developed. The dependent variable is valve output pressure, and the independent variables are spool position and flow. This causal form of equation is preferred in applications that simulate the effects of hydraulic line dynamics. Results from this equation are compared with those from the conventional valve equation, whose dependent variable is flow. A computer program of the valve equations includes spool stops, leakage spool clearances, and dead-zone characteristics of overlap spools.

  2. [Fatal mitral valve endocarditis by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae].

    PubMed

    Vallespi, G V; Pipet, D A; Mattoni, S A; Lopardo, H A

    2005-01-01

    A fatal case of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae mitral valve endocarditis is described in a 45 years old male, with a history of chronic alcohol abuse and without animals contact. He presented intermittent fever, polyarthralgia, weight loss, and low back pain. In blood cultures (2 bottles), gram-positive pleomorphic rods grew after 48 hours of incubation. The subculture on blood agar media showed a small, alpha-hemolytic colony, catalase and oxidase negative, PYR and LAP positive and the production of H2S in triple sugar iron agar, was demonstrated. The isolate was initially identified as E. rhusiopathiae, and confirmed by API Coryne (BioMérieux). On the basis of these findings and a transthoracic echocardiogram, an endocarditis was confirmed. Intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin treatment was initiated. The patient became afever, nevertheless he died on day 19 after admission as a consequence of acute pulmonary edema. Susceptibility testing by E-test showed that the microorganism was resistant to vancomycin and gentamicin, and susceptible to penicillin and cefotaxime. We emphasize the importance to consider the isolates of gram-positive pleomorphic rods, catalase and oxidase negative, and the addition of H2S production test in TSI medium. Vancomycin-resistance helps in the identification, and to establish the correct antimicrobial therapy. Although E. rhusiopathiae is usually reported as an occupational pathogen, the contact with pigs and other farm animals may be underestimated.

  3. Sliding-gate valve for use with abrasive materials

    DOEpatents

    Ayers, Jr., William J.; Carter, Charles R.; Griffith, Richard A.; Loomis, Richard B.; Notestein, John E.

    1985-01-01

    The invention is a flow and pressure-sealing valve for use with abrasive solids. The valve embodies special features which provide for long, reliable operating lifetimes in solids-handling service. The valve includes upper and lower transversely slidable gates, contained in separate chambers. The upper gate provides a solids-flow control function, whereas the lower gate provides a pressure-sealing function. The lower gate is supported by means for (a) lifting that gate into sealing engagement with its seat when the gate is in its open and closed positions and (b) lowering the gate out of contact with its seat to permit abrasion-free transit of the gate between its open and closed positions. When closed, the upper gate isolates the lower gate from the solids. Because of this shielding action, the sealing surface of the lower gate is not exposed to solids during transit or when it is being lifted or lowered. The chamber containing the lower gate normally is pressurized slightly, and a sweep gas is directed inwardly across the lower-gate sealing surface during the vertical translation of the gate.

  4. Spool valve cycles at controlled frequency

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Charlton, K. W.; Van Arnam, D. E.

    1966-01-01

    Spool valve accurately controls the cycle of a pneumatically-actuated system over long periods. Regulation of pressure from the external source, positioning of the adjusting plugs, and magnet selection, together afford wide variation in cyclic timing and speed of closure in either direction.

  5. Assessment of the Melody Valve in the Mitral Position in Young Children by Echocardiography

    PubMed Central

    Freud, Lindsay R.; Marx, Gerald R.; Marshall, Audrey C.; Tworetzky, Wayne; Emani, Sitaram M.

    2018-01-01

    Objectives Mitral valve replacement (MVR) in young children is limited by lack of small prostheses. Our institution began performing MVR with modified, surgically placed, stented jugular vein grafts (Melody valve) in 2010. We sought to describe key echocardiographic features for pre- and post-operative assessment of this novel form of MVR. Methods The pre- and post-operative echocardiograms of 24 patients who underwent Melody MVR were reviewed. In addition to standard measurements, pre-operative potential measurements of the mitral annulus were performed whereby dimensions were estimated for Melody sizing. A ratio of the narrowest subaortic region in systole to the actual mitral valve dimension (SubA:MV) was assessed for risk of post-operative left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). Results Melody MVR was performed at a median of 8.5 months (5.6 kg) for stenosis (5), regurgitation (3), and mixed disease (16). Pre-operatively, actual mitral z-scores measured hypoplastic (median −3.1 for the lateral (lat) dimension; −2.1 for the antero-posterior (AP) dimension). The potential measurements often had normal z-scores with fair correlation with intra-operative Melody dilation (ρ=0.51 and 0.50 for lat and AP dimensions, both p=0.01). A pre-operative SubA:MV <0.5 was associated with post-operative LVOTO, which occurred in four patients. Post-operatively, mitral gradients substantially improved, with low values relative to the effective orifice area of the Melody valve. No patients had significant regurgitation or perivalvar leak. Conclusions Pre-operative echocardiographic measurements may help guide intra-operative sizing for Melody MVR and identify patients at risk for post-operative LVOTO. Acute post-operative hemodynamic results were favorable; however, on-going assessment is warranted. PMID:27523403

  6. Aortic valve insufficiency in the teenager and young adult: the role of prosthetic valve replacement.

    PubMed

    Bradley, Scott M

    2013-10-01

    The contents of this article were presented in the session "Aortic insufficiency in the teenager" at the congenital parallel symposium of the 2013 Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) annual meeting. The accompanying articles detail the approaches of aortic valve repair and the Ross procedure.(1,2) The current article focuses on prosthetic valve replacement. For many young patients requiring aortic valve surgery, either aortic valve repair or a Ross procedure provides a good option. The advantages include avoidance of anticoagulation and potential for growth. In other patients, a prosthetic valve is an appropriate alternative. This article discusses the current state of knowledge regarding mechanical and bioprosthetic valve prostheses and their specific advantages relative to valve repair or a Ross procedure. In current practice, young patients requiring aortic valve surgery frequently undergo valve replacement with a prosthetic valve. In STS adult cardiac database, among patients ≤30 years of age undergoing aortic valve surgery, 34% had placement of a mechanical valve, 51% had placement of a bioprosthetic valve, 9% had aortic valve repair, and 2% had a Ross procedure. In the STS congenital database, among patients 12 to 30 years of age undergoing aortic valve surgery, 21% had placement of a mechanical valve, 18% had placement of a bioprosthetic valve, 30% had aortic valve repair, and 24% had a Ross procedure. In the future, the balance among these options may be altered by design improvements in prosthetic valves, alternatives to warfarin, the development of new patch materials for valve repair, and techniques to avoid Ross autograft failure.

  7. Numerical simulation and experimental study of heat-fluid-solid coupling of double flapper-nozzle servo valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Jianhua; Zhou, Songlin; Lu, Xianghui; Gao, Dianrong

    2015-09-01

    The double flapper-nozzle servo valve is widely used to launch and guide the equipment. Due to the large instantaneous flow rate of servo valve working under specific operating conditions, the temperature of servo valve would reach 120°C and the valve core and valve sleeve deform in a short amount of time. So the control precision of servo valve significantly decreases and the clamping stagnation phenomenon of valve core appears. In order to solve the problem of degraded control accuracy and clamping stagnation of servo valve under large temperature difference circumstance, the numerical simulation of heat-fluid-solid coupling by using finite element method is done. The simulation result shows that zero position leakage of servo valve is basically impacted by oil temperature and change of fit clearance. The clamping stagnation is caused by warpage-deformation and fit clearance reduction of the valve core and valve sleeve. The distribution rules of the temperature and thermal-deformation of shell, valve core and valve sleeve and the pressure, velocity and temperature field of flow channel are also analyzed. Zero position leakage and electromagnet's current when valve core moves in full-stroke are tested using Electro-hydraulic Servo-valve Characteristic Test-bed of an aerospace sciences and technology corporation. The experimental results show that the change law of experimental current at different oil temperatures is roughly identical to simulation current. The current curve of the electromagnet is smooth when oil temperature is below 80°C, but the amplitude of current significantly increases and the hairy appears when oil temperature is above 80°C. The current becomes smooth again after the warped valve core and valve sleeve are reground. It indicates that clamping stagnation is caused by warpage-deformation and fit clearance reduction of valve core and valve sleeve. This paper simulates and tests the heat-fluid-solid coupling of double flapper-nozzle servo

  8. Worcester 1 Inch Solenoid Actuated Gas Operated SCHe System Valves

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    MISKA, C.R.

    1 inch gas-operated full-port ball valves incorporate a solenoid and limit switches as integral parts of the actuator. These valves are normally open and fail safe to the open position (GOV-1*02 and 1*06 fail closed) to provide a flow path of helium gas to the MCO under helium purge and off-normal conditions when the MCO is isolated.

  9. Worcester 1 Inch Solenoid Actuated Gas Operated SCHe System Valves

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    VAN KATWIJK, C.

    1 inch Gas-operated full-port ball valves incorporate a solenoid and limit switches as integral parts of the actuator. These valves are normally open and fail safe to the open position (GOV-1*02 and 1*06 fall closed) to provide a flow path of helium gas to the MCO under helium purge and off-normal conditions when the MCO is isolated.

  10. Worcester 1 Inch Solenoid Actuated Gas Operated SCHe System Valves

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    VAN KATWIJK, C.

    1 inch Gas-operated full-port ball valves incorporate a solenoid and limit switches as integral parts of the actuator. These valves are normally open and fail safe to the open position (GOV-1*02 and 1*06 fail closed) to provide a flow path of helium gas to the MCO under helium purge and off-normal conditions when the MCO is isolated.

  11. Automatic shutoff valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hawkins, S. F.; Overbey, C. W.

    1980-01-01

    Cellulose-sponge disk absorbs incoming water and expands with enough force to shut valve. When water recedes, valve opens by squeezing sponge dry to its original size. This direct mechanical action is considered more reliable than solenoid valve.

  12. Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve treatment of degenerative stentless supra-annular Freedom Solo valves: A single centre experience.

    PubMed

    Cockburn, James; Dooley, Maureen; Parker, Jessica; Hill, Andrew; Hutchinson, Nevil; de Belder, Adam; Trivedi, Uday; Hildick-Smith, David

    2017-02-15

    Redo surgery for degenerative bioprosthetic aortic valves is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Report results of valve-in-valve therapy (ViV-TAVI) in failed supra-annular stentless Freedom Solo (FS) bioprostheses, which are the highest risk for coronary occlusion. Six patients with FS valves (mean age 78.5 years, 50% males). Five had valvular restenosis (peak gradient 87.2 mm Hg, valve area 0.63 cm 2 ), one had severe regurgitation (AR). Median time to failure was 7 years. Patients were high risk (mean STS/Logistic EuroScore 10.6 15.8, respectively). FS valves ranged from 21 to 25 mm. Successful ViV-TAVI was achieved in 4/6 patients (67%). Of the unsuccessful cases, (patient 1 and 2 of series) patient 1 underwent BAV with simultaneous aortography which revealed left main stem occlusion. The procedure was stopped and the patient went forward for repeat surgery. Patient 2 underwent successful ViV-TAVI with a 26-mm CoreValve with a guide catheter in the left main, but on removal coronary obstruction occurred, necessitating valve snaring into the aorta. Among the successful cases, (patients 3, 4, 5, 6) the TAVIs used were CoreValve Evolut R 23 mm (n = 3), and Lotus 23 mm (n = 1). In the successful cases the peak gradient fell from 83.0 to 38.3 mm Hg. No patient was left with >1+ AR. One patient had a stroke on Day 2, with full neurological recovery. Two patients underwent semi-elective pacing for LBBB and PR >280 ms. ViV-TAVI in stentless Freedom Solo valves is high risk. The risk of coronary occlusion is high. The smallest possible prosthesis (1:1 sizing) should be used, and strategies to protect the coronary vessels must be considered. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  13. TexMi: Development of Tissue-Engineered Textile-Reinforced Mitral Valve Prosthesis

    PubMed Central

    Moreira, Ricardo; Gesche, Valentine N.; Hurtado-Aguilar, Luis G.; Schmitz-Rode, Thomas; Frese, Julia

    2014-01-01

    Mitral valve regurgitation together with aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in Europe and North America. Mechanical and biological prostheses available for mitral valve replacement have significant limitations such as the need of a long-term anticoagulation therapy and failure by calcifications. Both types are unable to remodel, self-repair, and adapt to the changing hemodynamic conditions. Moreover, they are mostly designed for the aortic position and do not reproduce the native annular-ventricular continuity, resulting in suboptimal hemodynamics, limited durability, and gradually decreasing ventricular pumping efficiency. A tissue-engineered heart valve specifically designed for the mitral position has the potential to overcome the limitations of the commercially available substitutes. For this purpose, we developed the TexMi, a living textile-reinforced mitral valve, which recapitulates the key elements of the native one: annulus, asymmetric leaflets (anterior and posterior), and chordae tendineae to maintain the native annular-ventricular continuity. The tissue-engineered valve is based on a composite scaffold consisting of the fibrin gel as a cell carrier and a textile tubular structure with the twofold task of defining the gross three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the valve and conferring mechanical stability. The TexMi valves were molded with ovine umbilical vein cells and stimulated under dynamic conditions for 21 days in a custom-made bioreactor. Histological and immunohistological stainings showed remarkable tissue development with abundant aligned collagen fibers and elastin deposition. No cell-mediated tissue contraction occurred. This study presents the proof-of-principle for the realization of a tissue-engineered mitral valve with a simple and reliable injection molding process readily adaptable to the patient's anatomy and pathological situation by producing a patient-specific rapid prototyped mold. PMID:24665896

  14. Aerodynamic Shutoff Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Horstman, Raymond H.

    1992-01-01

    Aerodynamic flow achieved by adding fixed fairings to butterfly valve. When valve fully open, fairings align with butterfly and reduce wake. Butterfly free to turn, so valve can be closed, while fairings remain fixed. Design reduces turbulence in flow of air in internal suction system. Valve aids in development of improved porous-surface boundary-layer control system to reduce aerodynamic drag. Applications primarily aerospace. System adapted to boundary-layer control on high-speed land vehicles.

  15. Mesofluidic two stage digital valve

    DOEpatents

    Jansen, John F; Love, Lonnie J; Lind, Randall F; Richardson, Bradley S

    2013-12-31

    A mesofluidic scale digital valve system includes a first mesofluidic scale valve having a valve body including a bore, wherein the valve body is configured to cooperate with a solenoid disposed substantially adjacent to the valve body to translate a poppet carried within the bore. The mesofluidic scale digital valve system also includes a second mesofluidic scale valve disposed substantially perpendicular to the first mesofluidic scale valve. The mesofluidic scale digital valve system further includes a control element in communication with the solenoid, wherein the control element is configured to maintain the solenoid in an energized state for a fixed period of time to provide a desired flow rate through an orifice of the second mesofluidic valve.

  16. The Effect of Positive Family History of Autoimmunity in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Characteristics; a Case Control Study

    PubMed Central

    Khani, Mehdi; Ziaee, Vahid; Moradinejad, Mohamad-Hassan; Parvaneh, Nima

    2013-01-01

    Objective To compare Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients with and without family history of autoimmune disease with respect to clinical features and laboratory data. Methods Sixteen JIA patients with family history of autoimmune disease were identified during study, 32 patients were chosen for comparative group from referred patients to the rheumatology clinic according to the date of referral. Two groups were compared with respect to age of onset, sex, subtype, disease activity, duration of active disease and laboratory variables. Findings The age of onset was significantly lower in JIA patients with family history of autoimmunity (4.7 years vs. 7.0 years; P=0.02), polyarthicular subtype was more frequent in patients with positive family history (50% vs.25%; P=0.04) most of JIA patients with positive family history were in the active phase at the time of study (64% vs 25%; P=0.02) and had a longer duration of active disease (21.0 months vs 12.3 months; P=0.04). Patients with positive family history had more positive ANA (43.5%% vs 12.5%; P=0.01) and also more positive ADA (75% vs 20.8%; P=0.002). Two groups were similar according to sex, and other laboratory variables. Conclusion JIA patients with family history of autoimmune disease seem to have a more severe disease than patients without such family history, they are younger at the onset, and have mostly poyarthicular subtype. They also have more ANA and ADA positivity. These findings are different from familial JIA case-control studies according to active disease duration, subtype, and ANA positivity. PMID:24800019

  17. Main Oxidizer Valve Design

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Addona, Brad; Eddleman, David

    2015-01-01

    A developmental Main Oxidizer Valve (MOV) was designed by NASA-MSFC using additive manufacturing processes. The MOV is a pneumatically actuated poppet valve to control the flow of liquid oxygen to an engine's injector. A compression spring is used to return the valve to the closed state when pneumatic pressure is removed from the valve. The valve internal parts are cylindrical in shape, which lends itself to traditional lathe and milling operations. However, the valve body represents a complicated shape and contains the majority of the mass of the valve. Additive manufacturing techniques were used to produce a part that optimized mass and allowed for design features not practical with traditional machining processes.

  18. Slow opening valve. [valve design for shuttle portable oxygen system

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Drapeau, D. F. (Inventor)

    1984-01-01

    A valve control is described having a valve body with an actuator stem and a rotating handle connected to the actuator stem by a differential drive mechanism which, during uniform movement of the handle in one direction, initially opens the valve at a relatively slow rate and, thereafter, complete the valve movement at a substantially faster rate. A series of stop rings are received about the body in frictional abutting relationship and serially rotated by the handle to uniformly resist handle movement independently of the extent of handle movement.

  19. Lightweight Motorized Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gonzalez, R.; Vandewalle, J.

    1986-01-01

    Redesigned actuator assembly weighs 50 percent less. Isolator valve operated by ac motor instead of usual dc solenoid. Valve weighs only 3 lb (1.4 kg). New valve functions with either two-phase or three-phase power. Developed for isolating fluids in propellant tanks, manifolds, and interconnecting lines of Space Shuttle reaction control and orbital maneuvering subsystems, valve suited to applications in which leakage must be kept to minimum at high pressure differences - in petroleum and chemical processing.

  20. Transfemoral implantation of an Edwards SAPIEN valve in a tricuspid bioprosthesis without fluoroscopic landmarks.

    PubMed

    Calvert, Patrick A; Himbert, Dominique; Brochet, Eric; Radu, Costin; Iung, Bernard; Hvass, Ulrik; Darondel, Jean-Marc; Depoix, Jean-Pol; Nataf, Patrick; Vahanian, Alec

    2012-03-01

    We describe the first report of an Edwards SAPIEN valve implanted in a tricuspid bioprosthesis from the femoral vein. We highlight the feasibility of this previously avoided approach and the techniques involved. A 61-year-old woman with multiple valve replacements for rheumatic heart disease presented with NHYA IV dyspnoea secondary to a severely stenosed tricuspid bioprosthesis. After failed aggressive medical therapy and surgical turn down, an Edwards SAPIEN XT valve was deployed in the tricuspid bioprosthesis via the right femoral vein. Adaptations to the standard transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) technique included: (1) crossing the tricuspid bioprosthesis with a balloon floatation catheter; (2) temporary pacing wire in the coronary sinus rather than the right ventricle; (3) mounting of the SAPIEN XT valve in the reverse orientation to transfemoral TAVI; and (4) fine positioning of the final valve position pre-deployment by 3D transoesophageal echocardiography (3D TOE) alone due to complete radiolucency of the tricuspid bioprosthesis. The procedure was completed without complication and resulted in significant symptomatic improvement. Deployment of an Edwards SAPIEN valve in a tricuspid bioprosthesis via the femoral vein is feasible and, with careful adaptations to established TAVI techniques, can be performed without complications and with good clinical response.

  1. Knitting for heart valve tissue engineering

    PubMed Central

    Ayad, Nadia; Wojciechowska, Dorota; Zielińska, Dorota; Struszczyk, Marcin H.; Latif, Najma; Yacoub, Magdi

    Knitting is a versatile technology which offers a large portfolio of products and solutions of interest in heart valve (HV) tissue engineering (TE). One of the main advantages of knitting is its ability to construct complex shapes and structures by precisely assembling the yarns in the desired position. With this in mind, knitting could be employed to construct a HV scaffold that closely resembles the authentic valve. This has the potential to reproduce the anisotropic structure that is characteristic of the heart valve with the yarns, in particular the 3-layered architecture of the leaflets. These yarns can provide oriented growth of cells lengthwise and consequently enable the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in an oriented manner. This technique, therefore, has a potential to provide a functional knitted scaffold, but to achieve that textile engineers need to gain a basic understanding of structural and mechanical aspects of the heart valve and in addition, tissue engineers must acquire the knowledge of tools and capacities that are essential in knitting technology. The aim of this review is to provide a platform to consolidate these two fields as well as to enable an efficient communication and cooperation among these two research areas. PMID:29043276

  2. Cracking a tricuspid perimount bioprosthesis to optimize a second transcatheter sapien valve-in-valve placement.

    PubMed

    Brown, Stephen C; Cools, Bjorn; Gewillig, Marc

    2016-09-01

    Bioprosthetic valves degenerate over time. Transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures have become an attractive alternative to surgery. However, every valve increasingly diminishes the diameter of the valvar orifice. We report a 12-year-old female who had a previous transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve procedure; cracking the ring of a Carpentier Edwards Perimount valve by means of an ultrahigh pressure balloon allowed implantation of a further larger percutaneous valve. The advantage of this novel approach permits enlarging the inner valve diameter and may facilitate future interventions and prolong time to surgery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. Heart Valve Diseases

    MedlinePlus

    Your heart has four valves. Normally, these valves open to let blood flow through or out of your heart, and then shut to keep it from flowing ... close tightly. It's one of the most common heart valve conditions. Sometimes it causes regurgitation. Stenosis - when ...

  4. Atrioventricular valve repair in patients with functional single-ventricle physiology: impact of ventricular and valve function and morphology on survival and reintervention.

    PubMed

    Honjo, Osami; Atlin, Cori R; Mertens, Luc; Al-Radi, Osman O; Redington, Andrew N; Caldarone, Christopher A; Van Arsdell, Glen S

    2011-08-01

    This study was to determine whether atrioventricular valve repair modifies natural history of single-ventricle patients with atrioventricular valve insufficiency and to identify factors predicting survival and reintervention. Fifty-seven (13.5%) of 422 single-ventricle patients underwent atrioventricular valve repair. Valve morphology, regurgitation mechanism, and ventricular morphology and function were analyzed for effect on survival, transplant, and reintervention with multivariate logistic and Cox regression models. Comparative analysis used case-matched controls. Atrioventricular valve was tricuspid in 67% and common in 28%. Ventricular morphology was right in 83%. Regurgitation mechanisms were prolapse (n = 24, 46%), dysplasia (n = 18, 35%), annular dilatation (n = 8, 15%), and restriction or cleft (n = 2, 4%). Postrepair insufficiency was none or trivial in 14 (26%), mild in 33 (61%), and moderate in 7 (13%). Survival in repair group was lower than in matched controls (78.9% vs 92.7% at 1 year, 68.7% vs 90.6% at 3 years, P = .015). Patients with successful repair and normal ventricular function had equivalent survival to matched controls (P = .36). Independent predictors for death or transplant included increased indexed annular size (P = .05), increased cardiopulmonary bypass time (P = .04), and decreased postrepair ventricular function (P = .01). Ventricular dilation was a time-related factor for all events, including failed repair. Survival was lower in single-ventricle patients operated on for atrioventricular valve insufficiency than in case-matched controls. Patients with little postoperative residual regurgitation and preserved ventricular function had equivalent survival to controls. Lower grade ventricular function and ventricular dilation correlated with death and repair failure, suggesting that timing of intervention may affect outcome. Copyright © 2011 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All

  5. Natural history of the ascending aorta after aortic valve replacement: risk factor analysis for late aortic complications after aortic valve replacement.

    PubMed

    Tsutsumi, Koji; Hashizume, Kenichi; Inoue, Yoshito

    2016-05-01

    The purpose of this study was to clarify the natural history of the ascending aorta and to identify risk factors for late ascending aortic events after first isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). A total of 287 patients undergoing AVR were enrolled. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the diameter of the ascending aorta at the time of AVR, as determined by computed tomography: Group A (n = 233) was defined as an ascending aortic diameter <40 mm, and Group B (n = 54) was defined as an ascending aortic diameter ≥40 mm. The mean follow-up period was 7.6 years. The baseline diameter of the ascending aorta was 31.4 ± 4.8 mm in Group A and 44.7 ± 4.2 mm in Group B. These values increased to 35.9 ± 7.4 mm in Group A and 50.1 ± 7.3 mm in Group B during the follow-up period (P < 0.001). Ten patients had acute type A aortic dissection (Group A: 1 patient vs. Group B: 9 patients; P < 0.001), and three patients had enlargement of the ascending aorta to ≥55 mm in diameter (Group A: 1 patient vs. Group B: 2 patients). Multivariate analysis revealed that the baseline ascending aortic diameter was the only significant risk factor for developing late ascending aortic events (P < 0.001). AVR alone may not prevent further enlargement of the ascending aorta. An ascending aorta ≥40 mm in diameter at the time of AVR increased the risk of late ascending aortic events.

  6. Observation of cavitation in a mechanical heart valve in a total artificial heart.

    PubMed

    Lee, Hwansung; Tsukiya, Tomonori; Homma, Akihiko; Kamimura, Tadayuki; Takewa, Yoshiaki; Nishinaka, Tomohiro; Tatsumi, Eisuke; Taenaka, Yoshiyuki; Takano, Hisateru; Kitamura, Soichiro

    2004-01-01

    Recently, cavitation on the surface of mechanical heart valves has been studied as a cause of fractures occurring in implanted mechanical heart valves. The cause of cavitation in mechanical heart valves was investigated using the 25 mm Medtronic Hall valve and the 23 mm Omnicarbon valve. Closing of these valves in the mitral position was simulated in an electrohydraulic totally artificial heart. Tests were conducted under physiologic pressures at heart rates from 60 to 100 beats per minute with cardiac outputs from 4.8 to 7.7 L/min. The disk closing motion was measured by a laser displacement sensor. A high-speed video camera was used to observe the cavitation bubbles in the mechanical heart valves. The maximum closing velocity of the Omnicarbon valve was faster than that of the Medtronic Hall valve. In both valves, the closing velocity of the leaflet, used as the cavitation threshold, was approximately 1.3-1.5 m/s. In the case of the Medtronic Hall valve, cavitation bubbles were generated by the squeeze flow and by the effects of the venturi and the water hammer. With the Omnicarbon valve, the cavitation bubbles were generated by the squeeze flow and the water hammer. The mechanism leading to the development of cavitation bubbles depended on the valve closing velocity and the valve stop geometry. Most of the cavitation bubbles were observed around the valve stop and were generated by the squeeze flow.

  7. Transfemoral aortic valve implantation in severe aortic stenosis patients with prior mitral valve prosthesis

    PubMed Central

    Sarı, Cenk; Baştuğ, Serdal; Kasapkara, Hacı Ahmet; Durmaz, Tahir; Keleş, Telat; Akçay, Murat; Aslan, Abdullah Nabi; Bayram, Nihal Akar; Bozkurt, Engin

    2015-01-01

    Introduction Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in patients with a previous mitral valve prosthesis is technically challenging, and pre-procedural comprehensive assessment of these patients before transcatheter aortic valve implantation is vital for an uncomplicated and successful procedure. Aim We want to share our experience with transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with a preexisting functional mitral valve prosthesis and describe a series of important technical and pre-procedural details. Material and methods At our center, 135 patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis were treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Six of them with a preexisting mitral valve prosthesis received an Edwards SAPIEN XT valve through the transfemoral route. Results Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed successfully in all 6 patients without any deformation of the cobalt-chromium/steel stents of the aortic valve bioprosthesis. Also no distortion or malfunction in the mitral valve prosthesis was observed after the procedure. There were no complications during the hospitalization period. Post-procedural echocardiography revealed no or mild aortic paravalvular regurgitation and normal valve function in all the patients. In addition, serial echocardiographic examination demonstrated that both the stability and function of the aortic and mitral prosthetic valves were normal without any deterioration in the gradients and the degree of the regurgitation at long-term follow-ups. Conclusions Our experience confirms that transcatheter aortic valve implantation is technically feasible in patients with previous mitral valve replacement but comprehensive evaluation of patients by multimodal imaging techniques such as transesophageal echocardiography and multislice computed tomography is mandatory for a successful and safe procedure. PMID:26677380

  8. Kangaroo versus porcine aortic valve tissue--valve geometry morphology, tensile strength and calcification potential.

    PubMed

    Neethling, W M; Papadimitriou, J M; Swarts, E; Hodge, A J

    2000-06-01

    Valve related factors and patient related factors are responsible for calcification of valvular bioprostheses. Recent studies showed different donor and recipient species have different influences on the total calcification rate of bioprostheses. This study was performed to evaluate and compare Kangaroo aortic valve leaflets with porcine aortic valve leaflets. Experimental design. Prospective study. Setting. Cardio-thoracic experimental research of a university department. Glutaraldehyde-fixed Kangaroo and porcine valve leaflets were evaluated in vitro according to valve geometry (internal diameter and leaflet thickness), morphology (light and electron microscopy) and tensile strength. In vivo evaluation consisted of implantation in a rat model for 8 weeks, Von Kossa stain for calcium and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for total extractable calcium content. Kangaroo valves indicated a smaller internal valve diameter as well as a thinner valve leaflet (p<0.01, ANOVA) at corresponding body weight, less proteoglycan spicules in the fibrosa, increased elasticity (p<0.05) and low calcification potential (p<0.01, confidence interval 95%). Kangaroo aortic valve leaflets have different valvular qualities compared to porcine valve tissue. Kangaroo valve leaflets are significantly superior to porcine valve leaflets as far as calcification is concerned. These results are encouraging and suggest further in vivo evaluation in a larger animal model before clinical application can be considered.

  9. What Is Heart Valve Surgery?

    MedlinePlus

    ... working correctly. Most valve replacements involve the aortic Tricuspid valve and mitral valves. The aortic valve separates ... where it shouldn’t. This is called incompetence, insufficiency or regurgitation. • Prolapse — mitral valve flaps don’t ...

  10. What Is Heart Valve Disease?

    MedlinePlus

    ... and replacing it with a man-made or biological valve. Biological valves are made from pig, cow, or human ... the valve. Man-made valves last longer than biological valves and usually don’t have to be ...

  11. Valve repair in aortic regurgitation without root dilatation--aortic valve repair.

    PubMed

    Lausberg, H F; Aicher, D; Kissinger, A; Langer, F; Fries, R; Schäfers, H-J

    2006-02-01

    Aortic valve repair was established in the context of aortic root remodeling. Variable results have been reported for isolated valve repair. We analyzed our experience with isolated valve repair and compared the results with those of aortic root remodeling. Between October 1995 and August 2003, isolated repair of the aortic valve was performed in 83 patients (REP), remodeling of the aortic valve in 175 patients (REMO). The demographics of the two groups were comparable (REP: mean age 54.4 +/- 20.7 yrs, male-female ratio 2.1 : 1; REMO: mean age 60.8 +/- 13.6 yrs, male-female ratio 2.4 : 1; p = ns). In both groups the number of bicuspid valves was comparable (REP: 41 %, REMO: 32 %; p = ns). All patients were followed by echocardiography for a cumulative follow-up of 8204 patient months (mean 32 +/- 23 months). Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.4 % in REP and 4.6 % in REMO ( p = 0.62). Systolic gradients were comparable in both groups (REP: 5.8 +/- 2.2, REMO: 6.5 +/- 3.1 mm Hg, p = 0.09). The mean degree of aortic regurgitation 12 months postoperatively was 0.8 +/- 0.7 after REP and 0.7 +/- 0.7 after REMO ( p = 0.29). Freedom from significant regurgitation (> or = II degrees ) after 5 years was 86 % in REP and 89 % in REMO ( p = 0.17). Freedom from re-operation after 5 years was 94.4 % in REP and 98.2 % in REMO ( p = 0.33). Aortic regurgitation without concomitant root dilatation can be treated effectively by aortic valve repair. The functional results are equivalent to those obtained with valve-preserving root replacement. Aortic valve repair appears to be an alternative to valve replacement in aortic regurgitation.

  12. Complex Recanalization of Chronic Total Occluison Supported by Minimal Extracorporeal Circulation in a Patient with an Aortic Valve Bioprothesis in Extraanatomic Position

    PubMed Central

    Jansen, Ruben; Bathgate, Brigitte; Bufe, Alexander

    2018-01-01

    Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) still remains a major challenge in interventional cardiology. This case describes a complex PCI of the left main coronary artery and of a CTO of the right coronary artery using a minimal extracorporeal circulation system (MECC) in a patient with an aortic valve bioprothesis in extraanatomic position. It illustrates that complex recanalization strategies can be solved combining it with mechanical circulatory support technologies. PMID:29850264

  13. Design and efficacy of a single-use bioreactor for heart valve tissue engineering.

    PubMed

    Converse, Gabriel L; Buse, Eric E; Neill, Kari R; McFall, Christopher R; Lewis, Holley N; VeDepo, Mitchell C; Quinn, Rachael W; Hopkins, Richard A

    2017-02-01

    Heart valve tissue engineering offers the promise of improved treatments for congenital heart disorders; however, widespread clinical availability of a tissue engineered heart valve (TEHV) has been hindered by scientific and regulatory concerns, including the lack of a disposable, bioreactor system for nondestructive valve seeding and mechanical conditioning. Here we report the design for manufacture and the production of full scale, functional prototypes of such a system. To evaluate the efficacy of this bioreactor as a tool for seeding, ovine aortic valves were decellularized and subjected to seeding with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). The effects of pulsatile conditioning using cyclic waveforms tuned to various negative and positive chamber pressures were evaluated, with respect to the seeding of cells on the decellularized leaflet and the infiltration of seeded cells into the interstitium of the leaflet. Infiltration of hMSCs into the aortic valve leaflet was observed following 72 h of conditioning under negative chamber pressure. Additional conditioning under positive pressure improved cellular infiltration, while retaining gene expression within the MSC-valve interstitial cell phenotype lineage. This protocol resulted in a subsurface pilot population of cells, not full tissue recellularization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 249-259, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Health care-associated native valve endocarditis: importance of non-nosocomial acquisition.

    PubMed

    Benito, Natividad; Miró, José M; de Lazzari, Elisa; Cabell, Christopher H; del Río, Ana; Altclas, Javier; Commerford, Patrick; Delahaye, Francois; Dragulescu, Stefan; Giamarellou, Helen; Habib, Gilbert; Kamarulzaman, Adeeba; Kumar, A Sampath; Nacinovich, Francisco M; Suter, Fredy; Tribouilloy, Christophe; Venugopal, Krishnan; Moreno, Asuncion; Fowler, Vance G

    2009-05-05

    The clinical profile and outcome of nosocomial and non-nosocomial health care-associated native valve endocarditis are not well defined. To compare the characteristics and outcomes of community-associated and nosocomial and non-nosocomial health care-associated native valve endocarditis. Prospective cohort study. 61 hospitals in 28 countries. Patients with definite native valve endocarditis and no history of injection drug use who were enrolled in the ICE-PCS (International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective Cohort Study) from June 2000 to August 2005. Clinical and echocardiographic findings, microbiology, complications, and mortality. Health care-associated native valve endocarditis was present in 557 (34%) of 1622 patients (303 with nosocomial infection [54%] and 254 with non-nosocomial infection [46%]). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common cause of health care-associated infection (nosocomial, 47%; non-nosocomial, 42%; P = 0.30); a high proportion of patients had methicillin-resistant S. aureus (nosocomial, 57%; non-nosocomial, 41%; P = 0.014). Fewer patients with health care-associated native valve endocarditis had cardiac surgery (41% vs. 51% of community-associated cases; P < 0.001), but more of the former patients died (25% vs. 13%; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed greater mortality associated with health care-associated native valve endocarditis (incidence risk ratio, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.59]). Patients were treated at hospitals with cardiac surgery programs. The results may not be generalizable to patients receiving care in other types of facilities or to those with prosthetic valves or past injection drug use. More than one third of cases of native valve endocarditis in non-injection drug users involve contact with health care, and non-nosocomial infection is common, especially in the United States. Clinicians should recognize that outpatients with extensive out-of-hospital health care contacts who develop endocarditis have

  15. Face-Sealing Butterfly Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tervo, John N.

    1992-01-01

    Valve plate made to translate as well as rotate. Valve opened and closed by turning shaft and lever. Interactions among lever, spring, valve plate, and face seal cause plate to undergo combination of translation and rotation so valve plate clears seal during parts of opening and closing motions.

  16. Transapical JenaValve in a patient with mechanical mitral valve prosthesis.

    PubMed

    O' Sullivan, Katie E; Casserly, Ivan; Hurley, John

    2015-04-01

    We report the first case of transcatheter aortic valve replacement implantation using JenaValve™ in a patient with mechanical mitral valve prosthesis. We believe that the design features of this valve may be particularly suited for use in this setting. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. Modeling the Mitral Valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaiser, Alexander

    2016-11-01

    The mitral valve is one of four valves in the human heart. The valve opens to allow oxygenated blood from the lungs to fill the left ventricle, and closes when the ventricle contracts to prevent backflow. The valve is composed of two fibrous leaflets which hang from a ring. These leaflets are supported like a parachute by a system of strings called chordae tendineae. In this talk, I will describe a new computational model of the mitral valve. To generate geometry, general information comes from classical anatomy texts and the author's dissection of porcine hearts. An MRI image of a human heart is used to locate the tips of the papillary muscles, which anchor the chordae tendineae, in relation to the mitral ring. The initial configurations of the valve leaflets and chordae tendineae are found by solving solving an equilibrium elasticity problem. The valve is then simulated in fluid (blood) using the immersed boundary method over multiple heart cycles in a model valve tester. We aim to identify features and mechanisms that influence or control valve function. Support from National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Grant DGE 1342536.

  18. Fast acting check valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Perkins, Gerald S. (Inventor)

    1979-01-01

    A check valve which closes more rapidly to prevent wearing of the valve seat and of the valve member that seals thereagainst, including a solenoid or other actuator that aids the normal spring to quickly close the valve at approximately the time when downpath fluid flow would stop, the actuator then being deenergized. The control circuit that operates the actuator can include a pair of pressure sensors sensing pressure both upstream and downstream from the valve seat. Where the valve is utilized to control flow to or from a piston pump, energization of the actuator can be controlled by sensing when the pump piston reaches its extreme of travel.

  19. A rare case of prosthetic endocarditis and dehiscence in a mechanical valved conduit

    PubMed Central

    Kannan, Arun; Smith, Cristy; Subramanian, Sreekumar; Janardhanan, Rajesh

    2014-01-01

    A middle-aged adult patient with a history of aortic root replacement with a mechanical valved conduit and remote chest trauma was referred to our institution with prosthetic endocarditis. Transoesophageal echocardiogram at our institution confirmed a near-complete dehiscence of the prosthetic aortic valve from the conduit, with significant perivalvular flow forming a pseudoaneurysm. The patient underwent a high-risk re-operation, involving redo aortic root replacement with a homograft after extensive debridement of the infected tissue. The patient was discharged to an outside facility after an uncomplicated hospital course, and remains stable. PMID:24510692

  20. A rare case of prosthetic endocarditis and dehiscence in a mechanical valved conduit.

    PubMed

    Kannan, Arun; Smith, Cristy; Subramanian, Sreekumar; Janardhanan, Rajesh

    2014-02-07

    A middle-aged adult patient with a history of aortic root replacement with a mechanical valved conduit and remote chest trauma was referred to our institution with prosthetic endocarditis. Transoesophageal echocardiogram at our institution confirmed a near-complete dehiscence of the prosthetic aortic valve from the conduit, with significant perivalvular flow forming a pseudoaneurysm. The patient underwent a high-risk re-operation, involving redo aortic root replacement with a homograft after extensive debridement of the infected tissue. The patient was discharged to an outside facility after an uncomplicated hospital course, and remains stable.

  1. Double-orifice mitral valve associated with bicuspid aortic valve.

    PubMed

    Khani, Mohammad; Rohani, Atoosheh

    2017-06-01

    Double-orifice mitral valve is a rare congenital anomaly that usually does not cause a significant hemodynamic effect. Double-orifice mitral valve and a bicuspid aortic valve were detected in a 54-year-old lady who presented with dyspnea on exertion for one year. This is a rare association. Three-dimensional echocardiography is helpful to determine the type of malformation. The patient had no significant mitral regurgitation or stenosis, but demonstrated moderate aortic stenosis. She is undergoing periodic monitoring.

  2. Valve-sparing aortic root replacement in bicuspid aortic valves: a reasonable option?

    PubMed

    Aicher, Diana; Langer, Frank; Kissinger, Anke; Lausberg, Henning; Fries, Roland; Schäfers, Hans-Joachim

    2004-11-01

    Aortic dilatation occurs in many patients with bicuspid aortic valves. We have added root replacement using the remodeling technique originally designed for tricuspid aortic valves to bicuspid aortic valve repair for treatment of the dilated root. We compared the results of remodeling in bicuspid aortic valves with those in tricuspid aortic valves. From October 1995 through January 2004, 60 patients underwent root remodeling for bicuspid aortic valves (group A), and 130 patients underwent root remodeling for tricuspid aortic valves (group B). Correction of cusp prolapse was more often performed in group A (group A, 50/60; group B, 47/130; P < .0001). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at 1 week, 6 and 12 months, and every year thereafter. Cumulative follow-up was 527 patient-years (mean, 2.9 +/- 2 years). No patient died in group A. Hospital mortality in group B was 5% (5/100; 95% confidence interval,1.6%-11.3%) after elective operations and 10% (3/30; 95% confidence interval, 2.1%-26.5%) after emergency operations. Mean systolic gradients were identical at 1 year (group A, 4.8 +/- 2.1 mm Hg; group B, 4.0 +/- 2 mm Hg) and 5 years (group A, 4.5 +/- 2.3 mm Hg; group B, 3.9 +/- 2.2 mm Hg). Freedom from aortic regurgitation of grade 2 or higher at 5 years was 96% in group A and 83% in group B ( P = .07), and freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 98% in group A and 98% in group B ( P = .73). Valve-sparing aortic replacement with root remodeling can be applied to aortic dilatation and a regurgitant bicuspid aortic valve. Hemodynamic function and valve stability of a repaired bicuspid aortic valve are comparable with those seen in cases of tricuspid anatomy.

  3. Remote actuated valve implant

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    McKnight, Timothy E.; Johnson, Anthony; Moise, Kenneth J.

    Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.

  4. Valve for fluid control

    DOEpatents

    Oborny, Michael C.; Paul, Phillip H.; Hencken, Kenneth R.; Frye-Mason, Gregory C.; Manginell, Ronald P.

    2001-01-01

    A valve for controlling fluid flows. This valve, which includes both an actuation device and a valve body provides: the ability to incorporate both the actuation device and valve into a unitary structure that can be placed onto a microchip, the ability to generate higher actuation pressures and thus control higher fluid pressures than conventional microvalves, and a device that draws only microwatts of power. An electrokinetic pump that converts electric potential to hydraulic force is used to operate, or actuate, the valve.

  5. 3D velocity field characterization of prosthetic heart valve with two different valve testers by means of stereo-PIV.

    PubMed

    D'Avenio, Giuseppe; Grigioni, Mauro; Daniele, Carla; Morbiducci, Umberto; Hamilton, Kathrin

    2015-01-01

    Prosthetic heart valves can be associated to mechanical loading of blood, potentially linked to complications (hemolysis and thrombogenicity) which can be clinically relevant. In order to test such devices in pulsatile mode, pulse duplicators (PDs) have been designed and built according to different concepts. This study was carried out to compare anemometric measurements made on the same prosthetic device, with two widely used PDs. The valve (a 27-mm bileaflet valve) was mounted in the aortic section of the PD. The Sheffield University PD and the RWTH Aachen PD were selected as physical models of the circulation. These two PDs differ mainly in the vertical vs horizontal realization, and in the ventricular section, which in the RWTH PD allows for storage of potential energy in the elastic walls of the ventricle. A glassblown aorta, realized according to the geometric data of the same anatomical district in healthy individuals, was positioned downstream of the valve, obtaining 1:1 geometric similarity conditions. A NaI-glycerol-water solution of suitable kinematic viscosity and, at the same time, the proper refractive index, was selected. The flow field downstream of the valve was measured by means of the stereo-PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) technique, capable of providing the complete 3D velocity field as well as the entire Reynolds stress tensor. The measurements were carried out at the plane intersecting the valve axis. A three-jet profile was clearly found in the plane crossing the leaflets, with both PDs. The extent of the typical recirculation zone in the Valsalva sinus was much larger in the RWTH PD, on account of the different duration of the swirling motion in the ventricular chamber, caused by the elasticity of the ventricle and its geometry. The comparison of the hemodynamical behaviour of the same bileaflet valve tested in two PDs demonstrated the role of the mock loop in affecting the valve performance.

  6. Catheter-based tricuspid valve replacement: first experimental data of a newly designed bileaflet stent graft prosthesis.

    PubMed

    Lausberg, Henning F; Gryszkiewicz, Rafal; Kuetting, Maximilian; Baumgaertner, Moritz; Centola, Marcos; Wendel, Hans-Peter; Nowak-Machen, Martina; Schibilsky, David; Kruger, Tobias; Schlensak, Christian

    2017-07-01

    Moderate or severe degree tricuspid valve regurgitation (TVR) is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Surgical correction as the only therapeutic option offers unsatisfactory results. Recently, several interventional procedures have been introduced clinically in a limited cohort. We present our initial experiments with an innovative interventional valved stent graft for treatment of TVR. A newly designed porcine pericardium-covered nitinol stent graft with a lateral bicuspid valve was adapted to size in a cadaver study. After haemodynamic testing in an ex vivo perfusion setup, vascular access, valve delivery and function were investigated in an ovine animal model ( n  = 7). The device was implanted successfully in all animals. Vascular access was established surgically via the femoral vein without any vascular complications. Angiography demonstrated the correct position of the device with proper sealing of both venae cavae in 6 animals. In 1 extremely large animal, the position of the device was considered too cranial but still acceptable. Correct valve function was verified in all animals by both angiography and echocardiography. There were no persistent arrhythmias other than during valve implant. All animals survived the implant procedure and were sacrificed electively. This study demonstrated that this new valved stent graft could be delivered safely with correct positioning and valve function in this ovine model. Further long-term studies in animals implanted with the device after creation of tricuspid regurgitation are necessary to prove the haemodynamic benefit of this procedure. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

  7. Solid handling valve

    DOEpatents

    Williams, William R.

    1979-01-01

    The present invention is directed to a solids handling valve for use in combination with lock hoppers utilized for conveying pulverized coal to a coal gasifier. The valve comprises a fluid-actuated flow control piston disposed within a housing and provided with a tapered primary seal having a recessed seat on the housing and a radially expandable fluid-actuated secondary seal. The valve seals are highly resistive to corrosion, erosion and abrasion by the solids, liquids, and gases associated with the gasification process so as to minimize valve failure.

  8. Liquid rocket valve components

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1973-01-01

    A monograph on valves for use with liquid rocket propellant engines is presented. The configurations of the various types of valves are described and illustrated. Design criteria and recommended practices for the various valves are explained. Tables of data are included to show the chief features of valve components in use on operational vehicles.

  9. Impact of Chronic Rheumatic Valve Diseases on Large Vessels.

    PubMed

    Altunbas, Gokhan; Yuce, Murat; Ozer, Hasan O; Davutoglu, Vedat; Ercan, Suleyman; Kizilkan, Nese; Bilici, Muhammet

    2016-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND AIM OF STUDY: Rheumatic valvular heart disease, which remains a common health problem in developing countries, has numerous consequences on the heart chambers and circulation. The study aim was to investigate the effects of chronic rheumatic valve disease on the diameters of the descending aorta (DA) and inferior vena cava (IVC). METHODS: A total of 88 patients with echocardiographically documented rheumatic valvular heart disease and 112 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. All patients underwent detailed echocardiographic examinations, while their height and body weight were recorded and adjusted to their body surface area. RESULTS: The most common involvement was mitral valve disease, followed by aortic valve disease and tricuspid valve disease. The mean diameter of the DA (indexed to BSA) was 1.79 ± 0.49 cm for patients and 1.53 ± 0.41 for controls (p <0.001). The mean diameter of the IVC (indexed to BSA) was 1.69 ± 0.73 for patients and 1.38 ± 0.35 cm for controls (p <0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between mitral valve mean gradient and IVC diameter (p = 0.01, r = 0.18). There were also strong associations between the mitral valve area and the diameters of the DA (p = 0.001, r = -0.239) and IVC (p <0.001, r = -0.246). CONCLUSION: Rheumatic valve disease, especially mitral stenosis, was closely related to remodeling of the great vessels.

  10. Manipulation of valve composition to elucidate the role of collagen in aortic valve calcification

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Extracellular matrix (ECM) disarray is found in calcific aortic valvular disease (CAVD), yet much remains to be learned about the role of individual ECM components in valvular interstitial cell (VIC) function and dysfunction. Previous clinical analyses have shown that calcification is associated with decreased collagen content, while previous in vitro work has suggested that the presence of collagen attenuates the responsiveness of VICs to pro-calcific stimuli. The current study uses whole leaflet cultures to examine the contributions of endogenous collagen in regulating the phenotype and calcification of VICs. Methods A “top-down” approach was used to characterize changes in VIC phenotype in response to collagen alterations in the native 3D environment. Collagen-deficient leaflets were created via enzymatic treatment and cultured statically for six days in vitro. After culture, leaflets were harvested for analysis of DNA, proliferation, apoptosis, ECM composition, calcification, and gene/protein expression. Results In general, disruption of collagen was associated with increased expression of disease markers by VICs in whole organ leaflet culture. Compared to intact control leaflets, collagen-deficient leaflets demonstrated increased VIC proliferation and apoptosis, increased expression of disease-related markers such as alpha-smooth muscle actin, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin, and an increase in calcification as evidenced by positive von Kossa staining. Conclusions These results indicate that disruption of the endogenous collagen structure in aortic valves is sufficient to stimulate pathological consequences in valve leaflet cultures, thereby highlighting the importance of collagen and the valve extracellular matrix in general in maintaining homeostasis of the valve phenotype. PMID:24581344

  11. Dynamic behavior of prosthetic aortic tissue valves as viewed by high-speed cinematography.

    PubMed

    Rainer, W G; Christopher, R A; Sadler, T R; Hilgenberg, A D

    1979-09-01

    Using a valve testing apparatus of our own design and with a high-speed (600 to 800 frames per second) 16 mm movie camera, films were made of Hancock porcine, Carpentier-Edwards porcine, and Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial valves mounted in the aortic position and cycled under physiological conditions at 72 to 100 beats per minute. Fresh and explanted valves were observed using saline or 36.5% glycerol as the pumping solution. When fresh valves were studied using saline solution as the pumpint fluid, the Hancock and Carpentier-Edwards porcine valves showed high-frequency leaflet vibration, which increased in frequency with higher cycling rates. Abnormal leaflet motion was decreased when glycerol was used as the blood analogue. The Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial valve did not show abnormal leaflet motion under these conditions. Conclusions drawn from tissue valve testing studies that use excessively high pulsing rates and pressures (accelerated testing) and saline or water as pumping solutions cannot be transposed to predict the fate of tissue valves in a clinical setting.

  12. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Experience with the CoreValve Device.

    PubMed

    Asgar, Anita W; Bonan, Raoul

    2012-01-01

    The field of transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been rapidly evolving. The Medtronic CoreValve first emerged on the landscape in 2004 with initial first human studies, and it is currently being studied in the Pivotal US trial. This article details the current experience with the self-expanding aortic valve with a focus on clinical results and ongoing challenges. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Solenoid Valve With Self-Compensation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Woeller, Fritz H.; Matsumoto, Yutaka

    1987-01-01

    New solenoid-operated miniature shutoff valve provides self-compensation of differential pressure forces that cause jamming or insufficient valve closure as in single-seal valves. Dual-seal valve is bidirectional. Valve simultaneously seals both inlet and outlet tubes by pressing single disk of silicone rubber against ends of both.

  14. Prosthetic Tricuspid Valve Thrombosis: Three Case Reports and Literature Review

    PubMed Central

    Yaminisharif, Ahmad; Alemzadeh-Ansari, Mohammad Javad; Ahmadi, Seyed Hossein

    2012-01-01

    A common complication of prosthetic heart valves is thrombosis. Although the incidence of prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) in the tricuspid position is high, there are not enough data on the management of it, in contrast to left-sided PVT. Here, we describe three cases of tricuspid PVT with three different management approaches: thrombolytic therapy; close observation with oral anticoagulants; and surgery. The first case was a woman who suffered from recurrent PVT, for which we successfully used Tenecteplase for second and third episodes. We employed Tenecteplase in this case for the first time in the therapy of tricuspid PVT. The second case had fixed leaflets in open position while being symptomless. At six months' follow-up, with the patient having taken oral anticoagulants, the motion of the leaflets was restricted and she was symptomfree. The last case was a woman who had a large thrombus in the right atrium immediately after mitral and tricuspid valvular replacement. The patient underwent re-replacement surgery and a new biological valve was implanted in the tricuspid position. Also, we review the literature on the pathology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and management of tricuspid PVT. PMID:23323074

  15. Legionella micdadei prosthetic valve endocarditis complicated by brain abscess: case report and review of the literature.

    PubMed

    Fukuta, Yuriko; Yildiz-Aktas, Isil Z; William Pasculle, A; Veldkamp, Peter J

    2012-06-01

    Legionella endocarditis is extremely uncommon, and embolic phenomena have never been reported. We report the first case of Legionella micdadei prosthetic valve endocarditis complicated by brain abscess. A 57-y-old immunocompromised woman with a history of mitral valve replacement developed confusion and left-sided weakness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a 3-cm peripheral-enhancing mass. Transoesophageal echocardiography suggested a perivalvular abscess. Blood cultures and valve cultures were negative. She was diagnosed with 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction and silver stain, and was discharged with levofloxacin after a redo mitral valve replacement. Twelve cases of Legionella endocarditis were reviewed. Only one case had a native valve, and her endocarditis occurred after pneumonia. All cases were cured. The duration of antibiotic therapy was variable. Legionella species should be considered in the differential diagnosis of culture-negative endocarditis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Molecular techniques and silver impregnation stains are useful, especially when cultures using buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar are negative.

  16. Traumatic rupture of the tricuspid valve and multi-modality imaging

    PubMed Central

    Corneli, Mariana; Conde, Diego; Ronderos, Ricardo

    2014-01-01

    Introduction Motor vehicle accident (MVA) account for most cases of traumatic rupture of the tricuspid valve. Valve rupture during an MVA is generated by an abrupt deceleration coupled with an increase in right-side cardiac pressures (Valsalva maneuver and thorax compression). Case A 39-year-old asymptomatic man was referred for an echocardiogram due to the presence of a systolic murmur. He had no prior significant medical history, except for a remote MVA 3 years ago. Real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) showed a tear in the body of the anterior leaflet and not at the cord, as was suggested by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE). Based on these findings, the mechanism was considered anterior leaflet rupture of the tricuspid valve, secondary to chest blunt trauma. The anterior leaflet was repaired using two polytetrafluoroethylene sutures, and tricuspid annuloplasty with an Edwards ring was performed. Conclusions Multimodality imaging helps to determine timing of surgery in asymptomatic traumatic tricuspid rupture. The combination of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging provide information of volumetric data and contractility of the right ventricle (RV) during follow-up. RT3DE gives information relevant to the morphological and functional characterization of the valve, allowing the planning of appropriate surgical procedure. PMID:25414827

  17. Fixation and mounting of porcine aortic valves for use in mock circuits.

    PubMed

    Schlöglhofer, Thomas; Aigner, Philipp; Stoiber, Martin; Schima, Heinrich

    2013-10-01

    Investigations of the circulatory system in vitro use mock circuits that require valves to mimic the cardiac situation. Whereas mechanical valves increase water hammer effects due to inherent stiffness and do not allow the use of pressure lines or catheters, bioprosthetic valves are expensive and of limited durability in test fluids. Therefore, we developed a cheap, fast, alternative method to mount valves obtained from the slaughterhouse in mock circuits. Porcine aortic roots were obtained from the abattoir and used either in native condition or after fixation. Fixation was performed at a constant retrograde pressure to ensure closed valve position. Fixation time was 4 h in a 0.5%-glutaraldehyde phosphate buffer. The fixed valves were molded into a modular mock circulation connector using a fast curing silicone. Valve functionality was evaluated in a pulsatile setting (cardiac output = 4.7 l/min, heart rate = 80 beats/min) and compared before and after fixation. Leaflet motion was recorded with a high-speed camera and valve insufficiency was quantified by leakage flow under steady pressure application (80 mmHg). Under physiological conditions the aortic valves showed almost equal leaflet motion in native and fixed conditions. However, the leaflets of the native valves showed lower stiffness and more fluttering during systole than the fixed specimens. Under retrograde pressure, fresh and fixed valves showed small leakage flows of <30 ml/min. The new mounting and fixation procedure is a fast method to fabricate low cost biologic valves for the use in mock circuits.

  18. Study of multiple cycles valves

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wichmann, H.

    1973-01-01

    A discussion is presented regarding valves which can be cycled repeatedly and are available from industry for application in the inlet system for the Pioneer Venus Probe mass spectrometer. Both solenoid type and latching type valves are considered. The study is divided into two principal areas: (1) preparation of a valve specification reflecting the requirements of the inlet system cyclic valves for the Pioneer Venus Probe mass spectrometer and the submittal of this specification to potential valve suppliers for their response and proposal; (2) preparation of a design layout of an optimum cyclic valve meeting all of the valve specification requirements.

  19. Magnetic Check Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morris, Brian G.; Bozeman, Richard J., Jr.

    1994-01-01

    Poppet in proposed check valve restored to closed condition by magnetic attraction instead of spring force. Oscillations suppressed, with consequent reduction of wear. Stationary magnetic disk mounted just upstream of poppet, also containing magnet. Valve body nonmagnetic. Forward pressure or flow would push poppet away from stationary magnetic disk so fluid flows easily around poppet. Stop in valve body prevents poppet from being swept away. When flow stopped or started to reverse, magnetic attraction draws poppet back to disk. Poppet then engages floating O-ring, thereby closing valve and preventing reverse flow. Floating O-ring facilitates sealing at low loads.

  20. Internal combustion engine with rotary valve assembly having variable intake valve timing

    DOEpatents

    Hansen, Craig N.; Cross, Paul C.

    1995-01-01

    An internal combustion engine has rotary valves associated with movable shutters operable to vary the closing of intake air/fuel port sections to obtain peak volumetric efficiency over the entire range of speed of the engine. The shutters are moved automatically by a control mechanism that is responsive to the RPM of the engine. A foot-operated lever associated with the control mechanism is also used to move the shutters between their open and closed positions.

  1. Mitral valve replacement with the Hancock stabilized glutaraldehyde valve. Clinical and laboratory evaluation.

    PubMed

    Buch, W S; Pipkin, R D; Hancock, W D; Fogarty, T J

    1975-11-01

    From March 1971 through April 1975, one hundred twenty patients underwent mitral valve replacement with a Hancock "stabilized glutaraldehyde process" porcine aortic xenograft. A simultaneous canine experimental series was also carried out. In the clinical series, the early mortality was 8.3%. Actuarial analyses of all patients predicts survival at two years of 81.0% and at four years of 70.0%. The predicted survival for patients without coronary disease or prior prosthetic valve replacement is 87.5% at two years and 77.5% at four years. There were four thromboembolic episodes, a rate of 2.4% per patient-year. None were fatal. No valve failure were noted. Histologic examination and shrink temperature analysis of recovered valves show excellent tissue preservation at 40 months. The data indicate that the Hancock valve is durable, enjoys a low incidence of thromboembolism, and may be the valve of choice for mitral valve replacement.

  2. Anterior mitral valve aneurysm: a rare sequelae of aortic valve endocarditis.

    PubMed

    Janardhanan, Rajesh; Kamal, Muhammad Umar; Riaz, Irbaz Bin; Smith, M Cristy

    2016-03-01

    SummaryIn intravenous drug abusers, infective endocarditis usually involves right-sided valves, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common etiologic agent. We present a patient who is an intravenous drug abuser with left-sided (aortic valve) endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis who subsequently developed an anterior mitral valve aneurysm, which is an exceedingly rare complication. A systematic literature search was conducted which identified only five reported cases in the literature of mitral valve aneurysmal rupture in the setting of E. faecalis endocarditis. Real-time 3D-transesophageal echocardiography was critical in making an accurate diagnosis leading to timely intervention. Early recognition of a mitral valve aneurysm (MVA) is important because it may rupture and produce catastrophic mitral regurgitation (MR) in an already seriously ill patient requiring emergency surgery, or it may be overlooked at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR).Real-time 3D-transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3DTEE) is much more advanced and accurate than transthoracic echocardiography for the diagnosis and management of MVA. © 2016 The authors.

  3. Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement for Native and Failed Bioprosthetic Mitral Valves

    PubMed Central

    Sarkar, Kunal; Reardon, Michael J.; Little, Stephen H.; Barker, Colin M.; Kleiman, Neal S.

    2017-01-01

    Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is a novel approach for treatment of severe mitral regurgitation. A number of TMVR devices are currently undergoing feasibility trials using both transseptal and transapical routes for device delivery. Overall experience worldwide is limited to fewer than 200 cases. At present, the 30-day mortality exceeds 30% and is attributable to both patient- and device-related factors. TMVR has been successfully used to treat patients with degenerative mitral stenosis (DMS) as well as failed mitral bioprosthesis and mitral repair using transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve (TMViV)/valve-in-ring (ViR) repair. These patients are currently treated with devices designed for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Multicenter registries have been initiated to collect outcomes data on patients currently undergoing TMViV/ViR and TMVR for DMS and have confirmed the feasibility of TMVR in these patients. However, the high periprocedural and 30-day event rates underscore the need for further improvements in device design and multicenter randomized studies to delineate the role of these technologies in patients with mitral valve disease. PMID:29743999

  4. Penicillin sensitivity among children without a positive history for penicillin allergy.

    PubMed

    Cetinkaya, Feyzullah; Cag, Yakup

    2004-06-01

    To establish the prevalence of positive penicillin skin tests among outpatients without any drug reaction history. Skin testing was performed in 147 children (aged 6-13 years) who had had received a penicillin preparation at least three times in the last 12 months without any allergic reaction. Before testing, detailed pediatric and allergy history were learned and then all children were tested with benzyl penicilloyl polylysin (PPL) and mixture of minor antigenic determinants. The test procedures were made epidermally and intradermally subsequently in every subject. The overall frequency of positive skin reactions to penicillin antigens was 10.2%. A mild systemic reaction was observed in one of the children during testing with PPL. We concluded that frequent use of penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics leads to sensitization of children in our study population despite these children seem to be asymptomatic during testing time. Copyright 2004 Blackwell Munksgaard

  5. A second prosthesis as a procedural rescue option in trans-apical aortic valve implantation.

    PubMed

    Kempfert, Jörg; Rastan, Ardawan J; Schuler, Gerhard; Linke, Axel; Holzhey, David; van Linden, Arnaud; Mohr, Friedrich-W; Walther, Thomas

    2011-07-01

    Trans-apical aortic valve implantation (TA-AVI) using the Edwards SAPIEN™ prosthesis has evolved to a routine procedure for selected high-risk elderly patients. In rare cases, misplacement of the SAPIEN™ valve (too low a position), dysfunction of the leaflets or perforation of the interventricular septum (ventricular septal defect, VSD) occurs and requires immediate implantation of a second prosthesis within the first one. Results of this 'bailout' maneuver have not been reported yet. Of 305 TA-AVI procedures, 15 patients required a second prosthesis due to dysfunctional leaflets (n = 6), low position (n = 7), or VSD (n = 2). Mean age was 82.5 ± 1.3 years, mean logistic EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) was 45.5 ± 5.4, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Score was 13.5 ± 1.5. All second SAPIEN™ valves could be implanted successfully within the first one. The second prosthesis solved leaflet dysfunction, sealed the VSD (lower position of the second prosthesis), or corrected the initial misplacement (higher position of the second prosthesis) in all patients. Within 30 days, four patients died (low cardiac output n = 3, all with preoperative ejection fraction (EF) <35%; intestinal ischemia n = 1). Intra-operative echocardiogram and angiogram revealed mild paravalvular leak in three and none/trace in 12 patients. Transvalvular gradients were low despite the implantation of the second valve (P(max)/mean 13.7 ± 4.3/6.4 ± 2.0). Placement of a second SAPIEN™ valve is a valuable 'bailout' technique in case of VSD, dysfunctional leaflets, or too low placement of the first prosthesis. The technique leads to an excellent functional result with low transvalvular gradients. The simple, straight, tubular stent design of the SAPIEN™ prosthesis may be the ideal design for such valve-in-valve procedures. Copyright © 2011 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Fast-acting valve and uses thereof

    DOEpatents

    Meyer, J.A.

    1980-05-16

    A very fast acting valve capable of producing a very well-defined plug of gas suitable for filling a theta pinch vacuum vessel is given. The valve requires no springs, instead being stopped mainly by a nonlinear force. Thus, the valve is not subject to bouncing; and the ratio of the size of the valve housing to the size of the valve stem is smaller than it would be if springs were needed to stop the valve stem. Furthermore, the valve can be used for thousands of valve firings with no apparent valve damage.

  7. Fast-acting valve and uses thereof

    DOEpatents

    Meyer, James A.

    1982-01-01

    A very fast acting valve capable of producing a very well-defined plug of gas suitable for filling a theta pinch vacuum vessel is given. The valve requires no springs, instead being stopped mainly by a nonlinear force. Thus, the valve is not subject to bouncing; and the ratio of the size of the valve housing to the size of the valve stem is smaller than it would be if springs were needed to stop the valve stem. Furthermore, the valve can be used for thousands of valve firings with no apparent valve damage.

  8. MANAGEMENT OF FAILED MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT. THE DURBAN EXPERIENCE.

    PubMed

    Kistan, D; Booysen, M; Alexander, G; Madiba, T E

    2017-06-01

    Mitral valve replacement is the procedure of choice in patients with severe mitral valve disease. However, these patients are surviving longer and are thus at an increased risk of prosthesis failure or valve-related complications. Study setting: Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, a tertiary referral Hospital in Durban. Study population: All patients undergoing redo mechanical mitral valve replacement surgery between January 2005 and December 2014. Study design: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing redo mitral valve replacement. Patients were identified from theatre record books, their files were electronically accessed and pertinent information extracted onto a data capture sheet. Information documented included demographics, duration to failure, INR, Albumin, HIV status, clinical findings and outcome. The data was stored on an Excel datasheet. Fifty-eight patients were documented (mean age 32 ± 15.81 years; M:F 1:3). Ten patients (17%) were HIV positive (median CD4 count 478). Mean duration between first surgery and redo was 8.8 years. Thirty-five patients (60%) had no co-morbidities. Presenting features at redo surgery were congestive cardiac failure (27), chest pain (11) and palpitations (17). Mean preoperative Ejection Fraction was 51.65 %. Twenty-nine patients (55%) had emergency redo surgery. Twenty-two patients (75%) had acute prosthetic valve thrombosis. Thirty-two patients had tricuspid regurgitation. Original pathology was documented in 23 patients (40%) as Rheumatic valve disease. Prosthetic valve thrombosis was documented in 31 patients (54%). The most commonly used valve was the On-X. Mean presenting INR was 1.96 + 1.2 and mean presenting serum albumin was 36.7 + 7.8 g/l. Forty-one patients (71%) were found to be compliant to Warfarin therapy prior to redo surgery. Mean ICU stay was 6 +9 days. Two patients died postoperatively. Mean followup was 32 + 26.6 months. Twelve patients (20.7%) developed postoperative complications. Patients

  9. The prognosis of infective endocarditis treated with biological valves versus mechanical valves: A meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Tao, Ende; Wan, Li; Wang, WenJun; Luo, YunLong; Zeng, JinFu; Wu, Xia

    2017-01-01

    Surgery remains the primary form of treatment for infective endocarditis (IE). However, it is not clear what type of prosthetic valve provides a better prognosis. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the prognosis of infective endocarditis treated with biological valves to cases treated with mechanical valves. Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1960 to November 2016.Randomized controlled trials, retrospective cohorts and prospective studies comparing outcomes between biological valve and mechanical valve management for infective endocarditis were analyzed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale(NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature and extracted data, and Stata 12.0 software was used for the meta-analysis. A total of 11 publications were included; 10,754 cases were selected, involving 6776 cases of biological valves and 3,978 cases of mechanical valves. The all-cause mortality risk of the biological valve group was higher than that of the mechanical valve group (HR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.44, P = 0.023), as was early mortality (RR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.43, P = 0.033). The recurrence of endocarditis (HR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.42, P = 0.001), as well as the risk of reoperation (HR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.80, P = 0.010) were more likely to occur in the biological valve group. The incidence of postoperative embolism was less in the biological valve group than in the mechanical valve group, but this difference was not statistically significant (RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.07, P = 0.245). For patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), there was no significant difference in survival rates between the biological valve group and the mechanical valve group (HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.21, P = 0.520). The results of our meta-analysis suggest that mechanical valves can provide a significantly better prognosis in patients with infective endocarditis. There were significant differences in the clinical features of patients

  10. The prognosis of infective endocarditis treated with biological valves versus mechanical valves: A meta-analysis

    PubMed Central

    Tao, Ende; Wan, Li; Wang, WenJun; Luo, YunLong; Zeng, JinFu; Wu, Xia

    2017-01-01

    Objective Surgery remains the primary form of treatment for infective endocarditis (IE). However, it is not clear what type of prosthetic valve provides a better prognosis. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the prognosis of infective endocarditis treated with biological valves to cases treated with mechanical valves. Methods Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1960 to November 2016.Randomized controlled trials, retrospective cohorts and prospective studies comparing outcomes between biological valve and mechanical valve management for infective endocarditis were analyzed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale(NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature and extracted data, and Stata 12.0 software was used for the meta-analysis. Results A total of 11 publications were included; 10,754 cases were selected, involving 6776 cases of biological valves and 3,978 cases of mechanical valves. The all-cause mortality risk of the biological valve group was higher than that of the mechanical valve group (HR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.44, P = 0.023), as was early mortality (RR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.43, P = 0.033). The recurrence of endocarditis (HR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.42, P = 0.001), as well as the risk of reoperation (HR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.80, P = 0.010) were more likely to occur in the biological valve group. The incidence of postoperative embolism was less in the biological valve group than in the mechanical valve group, but this difference was not statistically significant (RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.07, P = 0.245). For patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), there was no significant difference in survival rates between the biological valve group and the mechanical valve group (HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.21, P = 0.520). Conclusion The results of our meta-analysis suggest that mechanical valves can provide a significantly better prognosis in patients with infective endocarditis. There were significant differences in

  11. Numerical analysis of the turbulent fluid flow through valves. Geometrical aspects influence at different positions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rigola, J.; Aljure, D.; Lehmkuhl, O.; Pérez-Segarra, C. D.; Oliva, A.

    2015-08-01

    The aim of this paper is to carry out a group of numerical experiments over the fluid flow through a valve reed, using the CFD&HT code TermoFluids, an unstructured and parallel object-oriented CFD code for accurate and reliable solving of industrial flows. Turbulent flow and its solution is a very complex problem due to there is a non-lineal interaction between viscous and inertial effects further complicated by their rotational nature, together with the three-dimensionality inherent in these types of flow and the non-steady state solutions. In this work, different meshes, geometrical conditions and LES turbulence models (WALE, VMS, QR and SIGMA) are tested and results compared. On the other hand, the fluid flow boundary conditions are obtained by means of the numerical simulation model of hermetic reciprocating compressors tool, NEST-compressor code. The numerical results presented are based on a specific geometry, where the valve gap opening percentage is 11% of hole diameter and Reynolds numbers given by the one-dimensional model is 4.22 × 105, with density meshes of approximately 8 million CVs. Geometrical aspects related with the orifice's shape and its influence on fluid flow behaviour and pressure drop are analysed in detail, furthermore, flow results for different valve openings are also studied.

  12. Heart valve surgery - series (image)

    MedlinePlus

    ... heart valves are either natural (biologic) or artificial (mechanical). Natural valves are from human donors (cadavers), modified ... artificial valves will require anticoagulation. The advantage of mechanical valves is that they last longer-thus, the ...

  13. Valve Repair or Replacement

    MedlinePlus

    ... called anticoagulants) for the rest of their lives. Biological valves are made from animal tissue (called a ... for valve replacement (called an autograft). Patients with biological valves usually do not need to take blood- ...

  14. Fluid mechanics of heart valves.

    PubMed

    Yoganathan, Ajit P; He, Zhaoming; Casey Jones, S

    2004-01-01

    Valvular heart disease is a life-threatening disease that afflicts millions of people worldwide and leads to approximately 250,000 valve repairs and/or replacements each year. Malfunction of a native valve impairs its efficient fluid mechanic/hemodynamic performance. Artificial heart valves have been used since 1960 to replace diseased native valves and have saved millions of lives. Unfortunately, despite four decades of use, these devices are less than ideal and lead to many complications. Many of these complications/problems are directly related to the fluid mechanics associated with the various mechanical and bioprosthetic valve designs. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art experimental and computational fluid mechanics of native and prosthetic heart valves in current clinical use. The fluid dynamic performance characteristics of caged-ball, tilting-disc, bileaflet mechanical valves and porcine and pericardial stented and nonstented bioprostheic valves are reviewed. Other issues related to heart valve performance, such as biomaterials, solid mechanics, tissue mechanics, and durability, are not addressed in this review.

  15. Intelligent Flow Control Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kelley, Anthony R (Inventor)

    2015-01-01

    The present invention is an intelligent flow control valve which may be inserted into the flow coming out of a pipe and activated to provide a method to stop, measure, and meter flow coming from the open or possibly broken pipe. The intelligent flow control valve may be used to stop the flow while repairs are made. Once repairs have been made, the valve may be removed or used as a control valve to meter the amount of flow from inside the pipe. With the addition of instrumentation, the valve may also be used as a variable area flow meter and flow controller programmed based upon flowing conditions. With robotic additions, the valve may be configured to crawl into a desired pipe location, anchor itself, and activate flow control or metering remotely.

  16. How to Make a Heart Valve: From Embryonic Development to Bioengineering of Living Valve Substitutes

    PubMed Central

    MacGrogan, Donal; Luxán, Guillermo; Driessen-Mol, Anita; Bouten, Carlijn; Baaijens, Frank; de la Pompa, José Luis

    2014-01-01

    Cardiac valve disease is a significant cause of ill health and death worldwide, and valve replacement remains one of the most common cardiac interventions in high-income economies. Despite major advances in surgical treatment, long-term therapy remains inadequate because none of the current valve substitutes have the potential for remodeling, regeneration, and growth of native structures. Valve development is coordinated by a complex interplay of signaling pathways and environmental cues that cause disease when perturbed. Cardiac valves develop from endocardial cushions that become populated by valve precursor mesenchyme formed by an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). The mesenchymal precursors, subsequently, undergo directed growth, characterized by cellular compartmentalization and layering of a structured extracellular matrix (ECM). Knowledge gained from research into the development of cardiac valves is driving exploration into valve biomechanics and tissue engineering directed at creating novel valve substitutes endowed with native form and function. PMID:25368013

  17. Heart valve replacement with the Sorin tilting-disc prosthesis. A 10-year experience.

    PubMed

    Milano, A; Bortolotti, U; Mazzucco, A; Mossuto, E; Testolin, L; Thiene, G; Gallucci, V

    1992-02-01

    aortic valve replacement, 92% +/- 4% after mitral valve replacement, and 89% +/- 3% after aortic valve replacement, with no cases of mechanical fracture. The Sorin valve has shown a satisfactory long-term overall performance, comparable with other mechanical prostheses, and an excellent durability that renders it a reliable heart valve substitute for the mitral and aortic positions.

  18. Live 3D TEE demonstrates and guides the management of prosthetic mitral valve obstruction.

    PubMed

    Chahal, Mangeet; Pandya, Utpal; Adlakha, Satjit; Khouri, Samer J

    2011-08-01

    A 43-year-old woman, with a remote history of rheumatic mitral stenosis and a St. Jude prosthetic mitral valve replacement, presented with shortness of breath and palpitations, shortly after a long flight. On admission, atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response was noted in the setting of a long history of noncompliance with her anticoagulation. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) demonstrated multiple laminated thrombi in the left atrial appendage. Live three-dimensional (3D) TEE confirmed this diagnosis and demonstrated an immobile posterior leaflet of the mitral prosthesis, which had direct implications in her management. She successfully underwent surgery for mitral valve replacement, left atrial appendage ligation, and a Maze procedure on the following day. The multiple thrombi within the atrial appendage were confirmed intraoperatively and pannus formation was determined to be the etiology of the leaflet immobility. © 2011, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. The effect of X-ray beam distortion on the Edwards Sapien XT(™) trans-catheter aortic valve replacement prosthesis.

    PubMed

    Crowhurst, James A; Poon, Karl K; Murdoch, Dale; Incani, Alexander; Raffel, Owen C; Liddicoat, Annelise; Walters, Darren

    2015-12-01

    Profiling the Aortic root perpendicular to the fluoroscopic image plane will achieve a more successful implant position for trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study aimed to investigate whether the divergent nature of the X-ray beam from the C-arm altered the appearance of the TAVR device. Under bench-top testing, a 23, 26 and 29 mm Edwards Sapien XT valve was positioned coaxially at the bottom of a fluoroscopic image utilising 22 and 32 cm fields of view (FOV). The table was then moved so that the valve was positioned at the top of the image. The valve's appearance was scored using a previously published three tier classification tool (excellent, satisfactory and poor) and quantified with measurements. The number of degrees of C-arm rotation that were required to bring the valve back to a coaxial appearance was recorded. When using the 32 cm FOV, the valve's appearance changes from excellent to satisfactory. When a 22 cm FOV was used, the change is less marked. More C-arm rotation is required to bring the appearance back to coaxial with the 32 cm FOV. Not maintaining the valve in the centre of the image can distort the valves appearance. This has the potential to affect the final implantation depth.

  20. The development of a microprocessor-controlled linearly-actuated valve assembly

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wall, R. H.

    1984-01-01

    The development of a proportional fluid control valve assembly is presented. This electromechanical system is needed for space applications to replace the current proportional flow controllers. The flow is controlled by a microprocessor system that monitors the control parameters of upstream pressure and requested volumetric flow rate. The microprocessor achieves the proper valve stem displacement by means of a digital linear actuator. A linear displacement sensor is used to measure the valve stem position. This displacement is monitored by the microprocessor system as a feedback signal to close the control loop. With an upstream pressure between 15 and 47 psig, the developed system operates between 779 standard CU cm/sec (SCCS) and 1543 SCCS.

  1. [Experience of Mitral Valve Replacement Using a Pulmonary Autograft (Ross II Operation) in an Infant;Report of a Case].

    PubMed

    Kawahito, Tomohisa; Egawa, Yoshiyasu; Yoshida, Homare; Shimoe, Yasushi; Onishi, Tatsuya; Miyagi, Yuhichi; Terada, Kazuya; Ohta, Akira

    2015-07-01

    A 24-day-old boy suddenly developed progressive heart failure and was transported to our hospital. Echocardiography showed massive mitral regurgitation due to chordal rupture. Mitral valve repair was performed at 28 days of life, but postoperative valvular function was not satisfactory. A mechanical valve was implanted in the supra-annular position at 37 days of life. Two months after valve replacement, the mechanical valve was suddenly stuck. Emergent redo valve replacement was performed, but the prosthetic valve became stuck again 2 months after the 3rd operation, despite sufficient anti-coagulation therapy. At the 4th operation (6 months after birth), we implanted a pulmonary autograft in the mitral position instead of another mechanical valve in an emergent operation. The right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed with a valved conduit. A postoperative catheter examination, which was performed 1 year after the Ross II operation, showed mild mitral stenosis with no regurgitation. Previous reports of Ross II operations in infants are rare and long-term results are unknown. However, we advocate that this procedure should be a rescue operation for mitral valve dysfunction in the early period of infants.

  2. ESC Working Group on Valvular Heart Disease position paper--heart valve clinics: organization, structure, and experiences.

    PubMed

    Lancellotti, Patrizio; Rosenhek, Raphael; Pibarot, Philippe; Iung, Bernard; Otto, Catherine M; Tornos, Pilar; Donal, Erwan; Prendergast, Bernard; Magne, Julien; La Canna, Giovanni; Piérard, Luc A; Maurer, Gerald

    2013-06-01

    With an increasing prevalence of patients with valvular heart disease (VHD), a dedicated management approach is needed. The challenges encountered are manifold and include appropriate diagnosis and quantification of valve lesion, organization of adequate follow-up, and making the right management decisions, in particular with regard to the timing and choice of interventions. Data from the Euro Heart Survey have shown a substantial discrepancy between guidelines and clinical practice in the field of VHD and many patients are denied surgery despite having clear indications. The concept of heart valve clinics (HVCs) is increasingly recognized as the way to proceed. At the same time, very few centres have developed such expertise, indicating that specific recommendations for the initial development and subsequent operating requirements of an HVC are needed. The aim of this position paper is to provide insights into the rationale, organization, structure, and expertise needed to establish and operate an HVC. Although the main goal is to improve the clinical management of patients with VHD, the impact of HVCs on education is of particular importance: larger patient volumes foster the required expertise among more senior physicians but are also fundamental for training new cardiologists, medical students, and nurses. Additional benefits arise from research opportunities resulting from such an organized structure and the delivery of standardized care protocols. The growing volume of patients with VHD, their changing characteristics, and the growing technological opportunities of refined diagnosis and treatment in addition to the potential dismal prognosis if overlooked mandate specialized evaluation and care by dedicated physicians working in a specialized environment that is called the HVC.

  3. Illness Perception Profiles and Their Association with 10-Year Survival Following Cardiac Valve Replacement.

    PubMed

    Crawshaw, Jacob; Rimington, Helen; Weinman, John; Chilcot, Joseph

    2015-10-01

    The aim of the present study was to examine whether profiles of illness perceptions are associated with 10-year survival following cardiac valve replacement surgery. Illness perceptions were evaluated in 204 cardiac patients awaiting first-time valve replacement and again 1 year post-operatively using cluster analysis. All-cause mortality was recorded over a 10-year period. At 1 year, 136 patients were grouped into one of four profiles (stable positive, stable negative, changed from positive to negative, changed from negative to positive). The median follow-up was 3063 days (78 deaths). After controlling for clinical covariates, including markers of function, patients who changed illness perceptions from positive to negative beliefs 1 year post-surgery had an increased mortality risk (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-8.3, p = .02) compared to patients who held positive stable perceptions. Following cardiac valve replacement, developing negative illness perceptions over the first post-operative year predicts long-term mortality. Early screening and intervention to alter this pattern of beliefs may be beneficial.

  4. Long life valve design concepts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jones, J. R.; Hall, A. H., Jr.

    1975-01-01

    Valve concept evaluation, final candidate selection, design, manufacture, and demonstration testing of a pneumatically actuated 10-inch hybrid poppet butterfly shutoff valve are presented. Conclusions and recommendations regarding those valve characteristics and features which would serve to guide in the formulation of future valve procurements are discussed. The pertinent design goals were temperature range of plus 200 to minus 423 F, valve inlet pressure 35 psia, actuation pressure 750 psia, main seal leakage 3 x 0.00001 sccs at 35 psia valve inlet pressure, and a storage and operating life of 10 years. The valve was designed to be compatible with RP-1, propane, LH2, LO2, He, and N2.

  5. Heart valves from polyester fibers: a preliminary 6-month in vivo study.

    PubMed

    Vaesken, Antoine; Pelle, Anne; Pavon-Djavid, Graciela; Rancic, Jeanne; Chakfe, Nabil; Heim, Frederic

    2018-06-27

    Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a popular alternative technique to surgical valve replacement for critical patients. Biological valve tissue has been used in TAVI procedures for over a decade, with over 150,000 implantations to date. However, with only 6 years of follow up, little is known about the long-term durability of biological tissue. Moreover, the high cost of tissue harvesting and chemical treatment procedures favor the development of alternative synthetic valve leaflet materials. In that context, textile polyester [polyethylene terephthalate (PET)] could be considered as an interesting candidate to replace the biological valve leaflets in TAVI procedures. However, no result is available in the literature about the behavior of textile once in contact with biological tissue in the valve position. The interaction of synthetic textile material with living tissues should be comparable to biological tissue. The purpose of this preliminary work is to compare the in vivo performances of various woven textile PET valves over a 6-month period in order to identify favorable textile construction features. In vivo results indicate that fibrosis as well as calcium deposit can be limited with an appropriate material design.

  6. Pseudomonas mendocina native valve infective endocarditis: a case report.

    PubMed

    Rapsinski, Glenn J; Makadia, Jina; Bhanot, Nitin; Min, Zaw

    2016-10-04

    Gram-negative microorganisms are uncommon pathogens responsible for infective endocarditis. Pseudomonas mendocina, a Gram-negative water-borne and soil-borne bacterium, was first reported to cause human infection in 1992. Since then, it has rarely been reported as a human pathogen in the literature. We describe the first case of native valve infective endocarditis due to P. mendocina in the USA. A 57-year-old white man presented with bilateral large leg ulcers, fever, and marked leukocytosis. His past medical history included gout and chronic alcohol use. P. mendocina was isolated from his blood cultures. A comprehensive review of P. mendocina infection in the literature was performed. A total of eight cases of P. mendocina infection were reported in the literature. More than two-thirds of the cases of P. mendocina septicemia were associated with native valve infective endocarditis. Thus, an echocardiogram was performed and demonstrated mitral valve endocarditis with mild mitral insufficiency. His leg wounds were debrided and were probably the source of P. mendocina bacteremia. Unlike Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. mendocina is susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins. Our patient received a 6-week course of antimicrobial therapy with a favorable clinical outcome. Our reported case and literature review illuminates a rare bacterial cause of infective endocarditis secondary to P. mendocina pathogen. Native cardiac valves were affected in all reported cases of infective endocarditis, and a majority of affected heart valves were left-sided. The antibiotics active against P. mendocina are different from those that are active against P. aeruginosa, and they notably include third-generation cephalosporins. The outcome of all reported cases of P. mendocina was favorable and no mortality was described.

  7. The Double-Orifice Valve Technique to Treat Tricuspid Valve Incompetence.

    PubMed

    Hetzer, Roland; Javier, Mariano; Delmo Walter, Eva Maria

    2016-01-01

    A straightforward tricuspid valve (TV) repair technique was used to treat either moderate or severe functional (normal valve with dilated annulus) or for primary/organic (Ebstein's anomaly, leaflet retraction/tethering and chordal malposition/tethering, with annular dilatation) TV incompetence, and its long-term outcome assessed. A double-orifice valve technique was employed in 91 patients (mean age 52.6 ± 23.2 years; median age 56 years; range: 0.6-82 years) with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Among the patients, three had post-transplant iatrogenic chordal rupture, five had infective endocarditis, 11 had mitral valve insufficiency, 23 had Ebstein's anomaly, and 47 had isolated severe TV incompetence. The basic principle was to reduce the distance between the coapting leaflets, wherein the most mobile leaflet could coapt to the opposite leaflet, by creating two orifices, ensuring valve competence. The TV repair was performed through a median sternotomy or right anterior thoracotomy in the fifth intercostal space under cardiopulmonary bypass. The degree and extent of creating a double-valve orifice was determined by considering the minimal body surface area (BSA)-related acceptable TV diameter. Repair was accomplished by passing pledgeted mattress sutures from the middle of the true anterior annulus to a spot on the opposite septal annulus, located approximately two-thirds of the length of the septal annulus to avoid injury to the bundle of His. The annular apposition divides the TV into a larger anterior and a smaller posterior orifices, enabling valve closure, on both sides. In adults, the diameter of the anterior valve orifice should be 23-25 mm, and the posterior orifice 15-18 mm; thus, the total valve orifice area is 5-6 cm2. In children, the total valve orifice should be a standard deviation of 1.7 mm for a BSA of <1. 0m2, and 1.5 mm for a BSA of >1.0m2. During a mean follow up of 8.7 ± 1.34 years (median 10 years; range: 1.5-25.9 years) there have been no

  8. Effect of prior aortic valve intervention on results of the Ross operation.

    PubMed

    Sakaguchi, Hidehito; Elkins, Ronald C; Lane, Mary M; McCue, Carolyn

    2003-07-01

    Patient-related factors, aortic insufficiency, bicuspid aortic valve, aortic annulus dilatation, ascending aortic dilatation or aneurysm, and aortic valve endocarditis have been suggested as affecting the results of the Ross operation. The study aim was to assess the impact of prior aortic valve intervention on early and late results of a Ross operation. A total of 399 patients who underwent surgery between August 1986 and September 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were grouped as: no prior aortic valve intervention (NOAVI, n = 219); prior aortic valvuloplasty (AVP, n = 106); prior balloon aortic valvuloplasty (AVB, n = 40); and prior aortic valve replacement (AVR, n = 34). Details of operative and late mortality, autograft valve function, and homograft valve function were analyzed. Operative mortality was higher for AVB (10%; three deaths in neonates) than the other groups (from 2.3% to 5.9%) (p = 0.084). Freedom from autograft valve degeneration, defined as severe autograft valve insufficiency, non-endocarditis autograft valve reoperation or valve-related death, ranged from 93 +/- 3% for AVP to 76 +/- 8% for NOAVI at 10 years (p = 0.43). Freedom from homograft reoperation in the pulmonary position was 100% for AVB at six years, and 99 +/- 1% for AVP, 82 +/- 8% for NOAVI, and 70 +/- 13% for AVR at 10 years (p = 0.0026). There appears to be no significant difference between patients with and without prior aortic valve surgery, with respect to operative mortality or late autograft function. However, patients with prior AVR appear to have a significantly higher homograft reoperation rate after a Ross operation, the reasons for which are uncertain.

  9. Compact valve actuation mechanism

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brogdon, James William (Inventor); Gill, David Keith (Inventor)

    2000-01-01

    A valve actuation device. The device may include a free floating valve bridge movably supported within a cavity in the engine housing. The bridge may be provided with a cavity and an orifice arrangement for pumping gases entrained with lubricating fluid toward the piston stems as the bridge reciprocates back and forth. The device may also include a rocker arm that has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape for receiving at least a portion of the valve bridge, valve stem valve spring and spring retainer therein. The rocker arm may be provided with lubrication passages for directing lubrication to the point wherein it is pivotally affixed to the engine housing.

  10. FLUID MECHANICS OF ARTIFICIAL HEART VALVES

    PubMed Central

    Dasi, Lakshmi P; Simon, Helene A; Sucosky, Philippe; Yoganathan, Ajit P

    2009-01-01

    SUMMARY 1. Artificial heart valves have been in use for over five decades to replace diseased heart valves. Since the first heart valve replacement performed with a caged-ball valve, more than 50 valve designs have been developed, differing principally in valve geometry, number of leaflets and material. To date, all artificial heart valves are plagued with complications associated with haemolysis, coagulation for mechanical heart valves and leaflet tearing for tissue-based valve prosthesis. For mechanical heart valves, these complications are believed to be associated with non-physiological blood flow patterns. 2. In the present review, we provide a bird’s-eye view of fluid mechanics for the major artificial heart valve types and highlight how the engineering approach has shaped this rapidly diversifying area of research. 3. Mechanical heart valve designs have evolved significantly, with the most recent designs providing relatively superior haemodynamics with very low aerodynamic resistance. However, high shearing of blood cells and platelets still pose significant design challenges and patients must undergo life-long anticoagulation therapy. Bioprosthetic or tissue valves do not require anticoagulants due to their distinct similarity to the native valve geometry and haemodynamics, but many of these valves fail structurally within the first 10–15 years of implantation. 4. These shortcomings have directed present and future research in three main directions in attempts to design superior artificial valves: (i) engineering living tissue heart valves; (ii) development of advanced computational tools; and (iii) blood experiments to establish the link between flow and blood damage. PMID:19220329

  11. Fluid mechanics of artificial heart valves.

    PubMed

    Dasi, Lakshmi P; Simon, Helene A; Sucosky, Philippe; Yoganathan, Ajit P

    2009-02-01

    1. Artificial heart valves have been in use for over five decades to replace diseased heart valves. Since the first heart valve replacement performed with a caged-ball valve, more than 50 valve designs have been developed, differing principally in valve geometry, number of leaflets and material. To date, all artificial heart valves are plagued with complications associated with haemolysis, coagulation for mechanical heart valves and leaflet tearing for tissue-based valve prosthesis. For mechanical heart valves, these complications are believed to be associated with non-physiological blood flow patterns. 2. In the present review, we provide a bird's-eye view of fluid mechanics for the major artificial heart valve types and highlight how the engineering approach has shaped this rapidly diversifying area of research. 3. Mechanical heart valve designs have evolved significantly, with the most recent designs providing relatively superior haemodynamics with very low aerodynamic resistance. However, high shearing of blood cells and platelets still pose significant design challenges and patients must undergo life-long anticoagulation therapy. Bioprosthetic or tissue valves do not require anticoagulants due to their distinct similarity to the native valve geometry and haemodynamics, but many of these valves fail structurally within the first 10-15 years of implantation. 4. These shortcomings have directed present and future research in three main directions in attempts to design superior artificial valves: (i) engineering living tissue heart valves; (ii) development of advanced computational tools; and (iii) blood experiments to establish the link between flow and blood damage.

  12. Next-Generation Transcatheter Heart Valves: Current Trials in Europe and the USA

    PubMed Central

    Werner, Nikos; Nickenig, Georg

    2012-01-01

    Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has proven to be a viable alternative for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who are at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. At the same time, there is increasing evidence that moderate-to-severe periprosthetic aortic regurgitation after TAVI is associated with dramatically increased mortality and morbidity. The issue of proper positioning of the valve, including the ability to reposition and recapture the device, must be dealt with before the use of TAVI can be extended to younger, healthier patients. The next generation of transcatheter heart valves will most likely address repositionability to facilitate accurate placement with additional features that minimize paravalvular leakage. Upcoming devices promise to improve outcomes and usability of current TAVI systems. PMID:22891121

  13. Improved mitral valve coaptation and reduced mitral valve annular size after percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) using the MitraClip system.

    PubMed

    Patzelt, Johannes; Zhang, Yingying; Magunia, Harry; Ulrich, Miriam; Jorbenadze, Rezo; Droppa, Michal; Zhang, Wenzhong; Lausberg, Henning; Walker, Tobias; Rosenberger, Peter; Seizer, Peter; Gawaz, Meinrad; Langer, Harald F

    2017-08-01

    Improved mitral valve leaflet coaptation with consecutive reduction of mitral regurgitation (MR) is a central goal of percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) with the MitraClip® system. As influences of PMVR on mitral valve geometry have been suggested before, we examined the effect of the procedure on mitral annular size in relation to procedural outcome. Geometry of the mitral valve annulus was evaluated in 183 patients undergoing PMVR using echocardiography before and after the procedure and at follow-up. Mitral valve annular anterior-posterior (ap) diameter decreased from 34.0 ± 4.3 to 31.3 ± 4.9 mm (P < 0.001), and medio-lateral (ml) diameter from 33.2 ± 4.8 to 32.4 ± 4.9 mm (P < 0.001). Accordingly, we observed an increase in MV leaflet coaptation after PMVR. The reduction of mitral valve ap diameter showed a significant inverse correlation with residual MR. Importantly, the reduction of mitral valve ap diameter persisted at follow-up (31.3 ± 4.9 mm post PMVR, 28.4 ± 5.3 mm at follow-up). This study demonstrates mechanical approximation of both mitral valve annulus edges with improved mitral valve annular coaptation by PMVR using the MitraClip® system, which correlates with residual MR in patients with MR. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2017. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  14. Valve technology: A compilation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1971-01-01

    A technical compilation on the types, applications and modifications to certain valves is presented. Data cover the following: (1) valves that feature automatic response to stimuli (thermal, electrical, fluid pressure, etc.), (2) modified valves changed by redesign of components to increase initial design effectiveness or give the item versatility beyond its basic design capability, and (3) special purpose valves with limited application as presented, but lending themselves to other uses with minor changes.

  15. Fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis with mycotic aneurysm: Case report.

    PubMed

    Brandão, Mariana; Almeida, Jorge; Ferraz, Rita; Santos, Lurdes; Pinho, Paulo; Casanova, Jorge

    2016-09-01

    Fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis is an extremely severe form of infective endocarditis, with poor prognosis and high mortality despite treatment. Candida albicans is the most common etiological agent for this rare but increasingly frequent condition. We present a case of fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis due to C. albicans following aortic and pulmonary valve replacement in a 38-year-old woman with a history of surgically corrected tetralogy of Fallot, prior infective endocarditis and acute renal failure with need for catheter-based hemodialysis. Antifungal therapy with liposomal amphotericin B was initiated prior to cardiac surgery, in which the bioprostheses were replaced by homografts, providing greater resistance to recurrent infection. During hospitalization, a mycotic aneurysm was diagnosed following an episode of acute arterial ischemia, requiring two vascular surgical interventions. Despite the complications, the patient's outcome was good and she was discharged on suppressive antifungal therapy with oral fluconazole for at least a year. The reported case illustrates multiple risk factors for fungal endocarditis, as well as complications and predictors of poor prognosis, demonstrating its complexity. Copyright © 2016 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  16. Pivot design in bileaflet valves.

    PubMed

    Vallana, F; Rinaldi, S; Galletti, P M; Nguyen, A; Piwnica, A

    1992-01-01

    The design criteria leading to the development of a new bileaflet valve (Sorin Bicarbon) were derived from the analysis of functional requirements, the performance of existing prostheses, and the availability of an advanced carbon coating technology (Carbofilm). The hinge is the critical element affecting fluid dynamics, durability, and thrombus formation in bileaflet valves. A comparative study of three existing models led to a new hinge design that was based on coupling two spheric surfaces with different radii of curvature (leaflet pivot and hinge recess) and obtained by electroerosion into a Carbofilm-coated metallic housing. In this valve, the point of contact moves continuously by rolling, not sliding. This minimizes friction and wear and allows uninterrupted washing of the blood exposed surfaces even during diastole (a finding established in patients using transesophageal echocardiography). Tricuspid implantation without anticoagulation in 33 sheep did not lead to thrombotic events (follow-up, 40-400 days). In the first 36 clinical implants observed for 15 months (mitral position, size 29; two unrelated deaths), the mean diastolic gradient by echo Doppler was 4 +/- 1.25 mmHg; the functional area was 3.2 +/- 0.6 cm2. No leaflet fracture and no thrombotic or embolic complications were observed clinically using a standard anticoagulant regimen.

  17. Comparison of acute elastic recoil between the SAPIEN-XT and SAPIEN valves in transfemoral-transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

    PubMed

    Garg, Aatish; Parashar, Akhil; Agarwal, Shikhar; Aksoy, Olcay; Hammadah, Muhammad; Poddar, Kanhaiya Lal; Puri, Rishi; Svensson, Lars G; Krishnaswamy, Amar; Tuzcu, E Murat; Kapadia, Samir R

    2015-02-15

    The SAPIEN-XT is a newer generation balloon-expandable valve created of cobalt chromium frame, as opposed to the stainless steel frame used in the older generation SAPIEN valve. We sought to determine if there was difference in acute recoil between the two valves. All patients who underwent transfemoral-transcatheter aortic valve replacement using the SAPIEN-XT valve at the Cleveland Clinic were included. Recoil was measured using biplane cine-angiographic image analysis of valve deployment. Acute recoil was defined as [(valve diameter at maximal balloon inflation) - (valve diameter after deflation)]/valve diameter at maximal balloon inflation (reported as percentage). Patients undergoing SAPIEN valve implantation were used as the comparison group. Among the 23 mm valves, the mean (standard deviation-SD) acute recoil was 2.77% (1.14) for the SAPIEN valve as compared to 3.75% (1.52) for the SAPIEN XT valve (P = 0.04). Among the 26 mm valves, the mean (SD) acute recoil was 2.85% (1.4) for the SAPIEN valve as compared to 4.32% (1.63) for the SAPIEN XT valve (P = 0.01). Multivariable linear regression analysis demonstrated significantly greater adjusted recoil in the SAPIEN XT valves as compared to the SAPIEN valves by 1.43% [(95% CI: 0.69-2.17), P < 0.001]. However, the residual peak gradient was less for SAPIEN XT compared to SAPIEN valves [18.86 mm Hg versus 23.53 mm Hg (P = 0.01)]. Additionally, no difference in paravalvular leak was noted between the two valve types (P = 0.78). The SAPIEN XT valves had significantly greater acute recoil after deployment compared to the SAPIEN valves. Implications of this difference in acute recoil on valve performance need to be investigated in future studies. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Performing Isoelectric Focusing and Simultaneous Fractionation of Proteins on A Rotary Valve Followed by Sodium Dodecyl – Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Wei; Lu, Joann J.; Gu, Congying; Zhou, Lei; Liu, Shaorong

    2013-01-01

    In this technical note, we design and fabricate a novel rotary valve and demonstrate its feasibility for performing isoelectric focusing and simultaneous fractionation of proteins, followed by sodium dodecyl – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The valve has two positions. In one position, the valve routes a series of capillary loops together into a single capillary tube where capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) is performed. By switching the valve to another position, the CIEF-resolved proteins in all capillary loops are isolated simultaneously, and samples in the loops are removed and collected in vials. After the collected samples are briefly processed, they are separated via sodium dodecyl – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE, the 2nd-D separation) on either a capillary gel electrophoresis instrument or a slab-gel system. The detailed valve configuration is illustrated, and the experimental conditions and operation protocols are discussed. PMID:23819755

  19. Valve stem and packing assembly

    DOEpatents

    Wordin, John J.

    1991-01-01

    A valve stem and packing assembly is provided in which a rotatable valve stem includes a first tractrix surface for sliding contact with a stem packing and also includes a second tractrix surface for sliding contact with a bonnet. Force is applied by means of a spring, gland flange, and gland on the stem packing so the stem packing seals to the valve stem and bonnet. This configuration serves to create and maintain a reliable seal between the stem packing and the valve stem. The bonnet includes a second complementary tractrix surface for contacting the second sliding tractrix surface, the combination serving as a journal bearing for the entire valve stem and packing assembly. The journal bearing so configured is known as a Schiele's pivot. The Schiele's pivot also serves to maintain proper alignment of the valve stem with respect to the bonnet. Vertical wear between the surfaces of the Schiele's pivot is uniform at all points of contact between the second sliding tractrix surface and the second complementary tractrix surface of a bonnet. The valve stem is connected to a valve plug by means of a slip joint. The valve is opened and closed by rotating the valve stem. The slip joint compensates for wear on the Schiele's pivot and on the valve plug. A ledge is provided on the valve bonnet for the retaining nut to bear against. The ledge prevents overtightening of the retaining nut and the resulting excessive friction between stem and stem packing.

  20. Valve stem and packing assembly

    DOEpatents

    Wordin, J.J.

    1991-09-03

    A valve stem and packing assembly is provided in which a rotatable valve stem includes a first tractrix surface for sliding contact with a stem packing and also includes a second tractrix surface for sliding contact with a bonnet. Force is applied by means of a spring, gland flange, and gland on the stem packing so the stem packing seals to the valve stem and bonnet. This configuration serves to create and maintain a reliable seal between the stem packing and the valve stem. The bonnet includes a second complementary tractrix surface for contacting the second sliding tractrix surface, the combination serving as a journal bearing for the entire valve stem and packing assembly. The journal bearing so configured is known as a Schiele's pivot. The Schiele's pivot also serves to maintain proper alignment of the valve stem with respect to the bonnet. Vertical wear between the surfaces of the Schiele's pivot is uniform at all points of contact between the second sliding tractrix surface and the second complementary tractrix surface of a bonnet. The valve stem is connected to a valve plug by means of a slip joint. The valve is opened and closed by rotating the valve stem. The slip joint compensates for wear on the Schiele's pivot and on the valve plug. A ledge is provided on the valve bonnet for the retaining nut to bear against. The ledge prevents over tightening of the retaining nut and the resulting excessive friction between stem and stem packing. 2 figures.

  1. Self-Rupturing Hermetic Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tucker, Curtis E., Jr.; Sherrit, Stewart

    2011-01-01

    For commercial, military, and aerospace applications, low-cost, small, reliable, and lightweight gas and liquid hermetically sealed valves with post initiation on/off capability are highly desirable for pressurized systems. Applications include remote fire suppression, single-use system-pressurization systems, spacecraft propellant systems, and in situ instruments. Current pyrotechnic- activated rupture disk hermetic valves were designed for physically larger systems and are heavy and integrate poorly with portable equipment, aircraft, and small spacecraft and instrument systems. Additionally, current pyrotechnically activated systems impart high g-force shock loads to surrounding components and structures, which increase the risk of damage and can require additional mitigation. The disclosed mechanism addresses the need for producing a hermetically sealed micro-isolation valve for low and high pressure for commercial, aerospace, and spacecraft applications. High-precision electrical discharge machining (EDM) parts allow for the machining of mated parts with gaps less than a thousandth of an inch. These high-precision parts are used to support against pressure and extrusion, a thin hermetically welded diaphragm. This diaphragm ruptures from a pressure differential when the support is removed and/or when the plunger is forced against the diaphragm. With the addition of conventional seals to the plunger and a two-way actuator, a derivative of this design would allow nonhermetic use as an on/off or metering valve after the initial rupturing of the hermetic sealing disk. In addition, in a single-use hermetically sealed isolation valve, the valve can be activated without the use of potential leak-inducing valve body penetrations. One implementation of this technology is a high-pressure, high-flow-rate rupture valve that is self-rupturing, which is advantageous for high-pressure applications such as gas isolation valves. Once initiated, this technology is self

  2. Leaving Moderate Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Alone at the Time of Pulmonary Valve Replacement: A Worthwhile Approach.

    PubMed

    Kogon, Brian; Mori, Makoto; Alsoufi, Bahaaldin; Kanter, Kirk; Oster, Matt

    2015-06-01

    Pulmonary valve disruption in patients with tetralogy of Fallot and congenital pulmonary stenosis often results in pulmonary insufficiency, right ventricular dilation, and tricuspid valve regurgitation. Management of functional tricuspid regurgitation at the time of subsequent pulmonary valve replacement remains controversial. Our aims were to (1) analyze tricuspid valve function after pulmonary valve replacement through midterm follow-up and (2) determine the benefits, if any, of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty. Thirty-five patients with tetralogy of Fallot or congenital pulmonary stenosis were analyzed. All patients had been palliated in childhood by disrupting the pulmonary valve, and all patients had at least moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation at the time of subsequent pulmonary valve replacement. Preoperative and serial postoperative echocardiograms were analyzed. Pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation, along with right ventricular dilation and dysfunction were scored as 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (severe). Right ventricular volume and area were also calculated. Comparisons were made between patients who underwent pulmonary valve replacement alone and those who underwent concomitant tricuspid valve annuloplasty. At 1 month after pulmonary valve replacement, there were significant reductions in pulmonary valve regurgitation (mean 3 vs 0.39, p < 0.0001), tricuspid valve regurgitation (mean 2.33 vs 1.3, p < 0.0001), and in right ventricular dilation, volume, and area. There was no difference in the degree of tricuspid regurgitation 1 month postoperatively between patients who underwent concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty and those who underwent pulmonary valve replacement alone (mean 1.31 vs 1.29, p = 0.81). However, at latest follow-up (mean 7.0 ± 2.8 years), the degree of tricuspid regurgitation was significantly higher in the concomitant annuloplasty group (mean 1.87 vs 1.12, p = 0.005). In patients with at least moderate tricuspid valve

  3. Salmonella species group B causing endocarditis of the prosthetic mitral valve.

    PubMed

    Al-Sherbeeni, Nisreen M

    2009-08-01

    The Salmonella species is an extremely rare cause of infective endocarditis. This case report is for Salmonella spp. group B proven by positive multiple blood cultures, and positive intraoperative culture from the vegetation of the mitral valve prosthesis.

  4. Real-time magnetic resonance imaging-guided transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

    PubMed

    Miller, Justin G; Li, Ming; Mazilu, Dumitru; Hunt, Tim; Horvath, Keith A

    2016-05-01

    To demonstrate the feasibility of Real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) guided transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with an active guidewire and an MRI compatible valve delivery catheter system in a swine model. The CoreValve system was minimally modified to be MRI-compatible by replacing the stainless steel components with fluoroplastic resin and high-density polyethylene components. Eight swine weighing 60-90 kg underwent rtMRI-guided TAVR with an active guidewire through a left subclavian approach. Two imaging planes (long-axis view and short-axis view) were used simultaneously for real-time imaging during implantation. Successful deployment was performed without rapid ventricular pacing or cardiopulmonary bypass. Postdeployment images were acquired to evaluate the final valve position in addition to valvular and cardiac function. Our results show that the CoreValve can be easily and effectively deployed through a left subclavian approach using rtMRI guidance, a minimally modified valve delivery catheter system, and an active guidewire. This method allows superior visualization before deployment, thereby allowing placement of the valve with pinpoint accuracy. rtMRI has the added benefit of the ability to perform immediate postprocedural functional assessment, while eliminating the morbidity associated with radiation exposure, rapid ventricular pacing, contrast media renal toxicity, and a more invasive procedure. Use of a commercially available device brings this rtMRI-guided approach closer to clinical reality. Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. An augmented magnetic navigation system for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

    PubMed

    Luo, Zhe; Cai, Junfeng; Nie, Yuanyuan; Wang, Guotai; Gu, Lixu

    2013-01-01

    This research proposes an augmented magnetic navigation system for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) employing a magnetic tracking system (MTS) combined with a dynamic aortic model and intra-operative ultrasound (US) images. The dynamic 3D aortic model is constructed based on the preoperative 4D computed tomography (CT), which is animated according to the real time electrocardiograph (ECG) input of patient. And a preoperative planning is performed to determine the target position of the aortic valve prosthesis. The temporal alignment is performed to synchronize the ECG signals, intra-operative US image and tracking information. Afterwards, with the assistance of synchronized ECG signals, the contour of aortic root automatic extracted from short axis US image is registered to the dynamic aortic model by a feature based registration intra-operatively. Then the augmented MTS guides the interventionist to confidently position and deploy the aortic valve prosthesis to target. The system was validated by animal studies on three porcine subjects, the deployment and tilting errors of which are 3.17 ± 0.91 mm and 7.40 ± 2.89° respectively.

  6. Three-dimensional printed trileaflet valve conduits using biological hydrogels and human valve interstitial cells.

    PubMed

    Duan, B; Kapetanovic, E; Hockaday, L A; Butcher, J T

    2014-05-01

    Tissue engineering has great potential to provide a functional de novo living valve replacement, capable of integration with host tissue and growth. Among various valve conduit fabrication techniques, three-dimensional (3-D) bioprinting enables deposition of cells and hydrogels into 3-D constructs with anatomical geometry and heterogeneous mechanical properties. Successful translation of this approach, however, is constrained by the dearth of printable and biocompatible hydrogel materials. Furthermore, it is not known how human valve cells respond to these printed environments. In this study, 3-D printable formulations of hybrid hydrogels are developed, based on methacrylated hyaluronic acid (Me-HA) and methacrylated gelatin (Me-Gel), and used to bioprint heart valve conduits containing encapsulated human aortic valvular interstitial cells (HAVIC). Increasing Me-Gel concentration resulted in lower stiffness and higher viscosity, facilitated cell spreading, and better maintained HAVIC fibroblastic phenotype. Bioprinting accuracy was dependent upon the relative concentrations of Me-Gel and Me-HA, but when optimized enabled the fabrication of a trileaflet valve shape accurate to the original design. HAVIC encapsulated within bioprinted heart valves maintained high viability, and remodeled the initial matrix by depositing collagen and glyosaminoglycans. These findings represent the first rational design of bioprinted trileaflet valve hydrogels that regulate encapsulated human VIC behavior. The use of anatomically accurate living valve scaffolds through bioprinting may accelerate understanding of physiological valve cell interactions and progress towards de novo living valve replacements. Copyright © 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Mycobacterium chimaera Infection After Aortic Valve Replacement Presenting With Aortic Dissection and Pseudoaneurysm.

    PubMed

    O'Neil, C R; Taylor, G; Smith, S; Joffe, A M; Antonation, K; Shafran, S; Kunimoto, D

    2018-02-01

    We present a case of Mycobacterium chimaera infection presenting with aortic dissection and pseudoaneuysm in a 22-year-old man with a past history of aortic valve replacement. Clinicians should consider M. chimaera infection in those presenting with aortic dissection as a late complication of cardiovascular surgery.

  8. Lock For Valve Stem

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burley, Richard K.; Guirguis, Kamal S.

    1991-01-01

    Simple, cheap device locks valve stem so its setting cannot be changed by unauthorized people. Device covers valve stem; cover locked in place with standard padlock. Valve lock made of PVC pipe and packing band. Shears, drill or punch, and forming rod only tools needed.

  9. Design and development of a large diameter high pressure fast acting propulsion valve and valve actuator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Srinivasan, K. V.

    1986-01-01

    The design and development of a large diameter high pressure quick acting propulsion valve and valve actuator is described. The valve is the heart of a major test facility dedicated to conducting full scale performance tests of aircraft landing systems. The valve opens in less than 300 milliseconds releasing a 46-centimeter- (18-in.-) diameter water jet and closes in 300 milliseconds. The four main components of the valve, i.e., valve body, safety shutter, high speed shutter, and pneumatic-hydraulic actuator, are discussed. This valve is unique and may have other aerospace and industrial applications.

  10. Design and Development of a Large Diameter, High Pressure, Fast Acting Propulsion Valve and Valve Actuator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Srinivasan, K. V.

    1986-01-01

    This paper describes the design and development of a large diameter high pressure quick acting propulsion valve and valve actuator. The valve is the heart of a major test facility dedicated to conducting full scale performance tests of aircraft landing gear systems. The valve opens in less than 300 milliseconds releasing a 46 cm (18 in) diameter water jet and closes in 300 milliseconds. The four main components of the valve, i.e., valve body, safety shutter, high speed shutter, and pneumatic-hydraulic actuator, are discussed. This valve is unique and may have other aerospace and industrial applications.

  11. Engine having a variable valve actuation system

    DOEpatents

    Hefler, Gregory W [Chillicothe, IL

    2004-10-12

    An engine has a cylinder head having a first surface and a second surface spaced from the first surface. A valve is moveably connected to the cylinder head. A rocker arm is connected to the valve, and a rocker shaft having a first location spaced a maximum distance from the cylinder head is connected to the rocker arm. A support member has and an actuator fluid passage network. The actuator fluid passage network defines a volume. The support member is connected to the cylinder head and is positioned such that a majority of the volume of the actuator fluid passage network is between the first location of the rocker shaft and the second surface of the cylinder head.

  12. Engine having a variable valve actuation system

    DOEpatents

    Hefler, Gregory W.

    2005-10-12

    An engine has a cylinder head having a first surface and a second surface spaced from the first surface. A valve is moveably connected to the cylinder head. A rocker arm is connected to the valve, and a rocker shaft having a first location spaced a maximum distance from the cylinder head is connected to the rocker arm. A support member has and an actuator fluid passage network. The actuator fluid passage network defines a volume. The support member is connected to the cylinder head and is positioned such that a majority of the volume of the actuator fluid passage network is between the first location of the rocker shaft and the second surface of the cylinder head.

  13. 9. BUTTERFLY VALVE CONTROL DIABLO POWERHOUSE. BUTTERFLY VALVES WERE MANUFACTURED ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    9. BUTTERFLY VALVE CONTROL DIABLO POWERHOUSE. BUTTERFLY VALVES WERE MANUFACTURED BY THE PELTON WATER WHEEL COMPANY IN 1931, 1989. - Skagit Power Development, Diablo Powerhouse, On Skagit River, 6.1 miles upstream from Newhalem, Newhalem, Whatcom County, WA

  14. Pregnancy-induced remodeling of heart valves.

    PubMed

    Pierlot, Caitlin M; Moeller, Andrew D; Lee, J Michael; Wells, Sarah M

    2015-11-01

    Recent studies have demonstrated remodeling of aortic and mitral valves leaflets under the volume loading and cardiac expansion of pregnancy. Those valves' leaflets enlarge with altered collagen fiber architecture, content, and cross-linking and biphasic changes (decreases, then increases) in extensibility during gestation. This study extends our analyses to right-sided valves, with additional compositional measurements for all valves. Valve leaflets were harvested from nonpregnant heifers and pregnant cows. Leaflet structure was characterized by leaflet dimensions, and ECM composition was determined using standard biochemical assays. Histological studies assessed changes in cellular and ECM components. Leaflet mechanical properties were assessed using equibiaxial mechanical testing. Collagen thermal stability and cross-linking were assessed using denaturation and hydrothermal isometric tension tests. Pulmonary and tricuspid leaflet areas increased during pregnancy by 35 and 55%, respectively. Leaflet thickness increased by 20% only in the pulmonary valve and largely in the fibrosa (30% thickening). Collagen crimp length was reduced in both the tricuspid (61%) and pulmonary (42%) valves, with loss of crimped area in the pulmonary valve. Thermomechanics showed decreased collagen thermal stability with surprisingly maintained cross-link maturity. The pulmonary leaflet exhibited the biphasic change in extensibility seen in left side valves, whereas the tricuspid leaflet mechanics remained largely unchanged throughout pregnancy. The tricuspid valve exhibits a remodeling response during pregnancy that is significantly diminished from the other three valves. All valves of the heart remodel in pregnancy in a manner distinct from cardiac pathology, with much similarity valve to valve, but with interesting valve-specific responses in the aortic and tricuspid valves. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

  15. Self-compensating solenoid valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Woeller, Fritz H. (Inventor); Matsumoto, Yutaka (Inventor)

    1987-01-01

    A solenoid valve is described in which both an inlet and an outlet of the valve are sealed when the valve is closed. This double seal compensates for leakage at either the inlet or the outlet by making the other seal more effective in response to the leakage and allows the reversal of the flow direction by simply switching the inlet and outlet connections. The solenoid valve has a valve chamber within the valve body. Inlet and outlet tubes extend through a plate into the chamber. A movable core in the chamber extends into the solenoid coil. The distal end of the core has a silicone rubber plug. Other than when the solenoid is energized, the compressed spring biases the core downward so that the surface of the plug is in sealing engagement with the ends of the tubes. A leak at either end increases the pressure in the chamber, resulting in increased sealing force of the plug.

  16. Concomitant Transapical Transcatheter Valve Implantations: Edwards Sapien Valve for Severe Mitral Regurgitation in a Patient with Failing Mitral Bioprostheses and JenaValve for the Treatment of Pure Aortic Regurgitation.

    PubMed

    Aydin, Unal; Gul, Mehmet; Aslan, Serkan; Akkaya, Emre; Yildirim, Aydin

    2015-04-28

    Transcatheter valve implantation is a novel interventional technique, which was developed as an  alternative therapy for surgical aortic valve replacement in inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis. Despite limited experience in using transcatheter valve implantation for mitral and aortic regurgitation, transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation and valve-in-valve implantation for degenerated mitral valve bioprosthesis can be performed in high-risk patients who are not candidates for conventional replacement surgery. In this case, we present the simultaneous transcatheter valve implantation via transapical approach for both degenerated bioprosthetic mitral valve with severe regurgitation and pure severe aortic regurgitation.

  17. Intracranial Pressure-Guided Shunt Valve Adjustments with the Miethke Sensor Reservoir.

    PubMed

    Antes, Sebastian; Stadie, Axel; Müller, Simon; Linsler, Stefan; Breuskin, David; Oertel, Joachim

    2018-01-01

    Telemetric intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring seems to be a promising therapy-supporting option in shunt-treated patients. Benefits become obvious when headaches are unspecific and clinical symptoms cannot be related to possible overdrainage or underdrainage. In this study, we evaluated a new telemetric device to individually adjust shunt valves according to ICP measurements. Between December 2015 and November 2016, 25 patients with suspected suboptimal shunt valve settings underwent insertion of a telemetric ICP sensor (Sensor Reservoir; Christoph Miethke, Potsdam, Germany). Over a 1-year period, a total of 183 telemetric ICP measurements and 85 shunt valve adjustments were carried out. Retrospective statistic analyses focused on valve adjustments, ICP values, and clinical outcomes. ICP-guided valve adjustments positively changed the clinical state in 18 out of 25 patients. Clinical improvement over time was associated with significant changes of the valve settings and ICP values. Interestingly, a therapeutically normalized ICP profile was not automatically associated with clinical improvement. The Sensor Reservoir is an important and valuable tool for shunt-treated patients suffering from drainage-related problems. The possibility to simultaneously recognize and solve shunt problems represents the decisive advantage. Nevertheless, measurements with the Sensor Reservoir did not allow for the determination of default valve settings or universal target ICP values. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Increasing the reliability of solution exchanges by monitoring solenoid valve actuation.

    PubMed

    Auzmendi, Jerónimo Andrés; Moffatt, Luciano

    2010-01-15

    Solenoid valves are a core component of most solution perfusion systems used in neuroscience research. As they open and close, they control the flow of solution through each perfusion line, thereby modulating the timing and sequence of chemical stimulation. The valves feature a ferromagnetic plunger that moves due to the magnetization of the solenoid and returns to its initial position with the aid of a spring. The delays between the time of voltage application or removal and the actual opening or closing of the valve are difficult to predict beforehand and have to be measured experimentally. Here we propose a simple method for monitoring whether and when the solenoid valve opens and closes. The proposed method detects the movement of the plunger as it generates a measurable signal on the solenoid that surrounds it. Using this plunger signal, we detected the opening and closing of diaphragm and pinch solenoid valves with a systematic error of less than 2ms. After this systematic error is subtracted, the trial-to-trial error was below 0.2ms.

  19. Anterior urethral valve associated with posterior urethral valves.

    PubMed

    Kajbafzadeh, A M; Jangouk, P; Ahmadi Yazdi, C

    2005-12-01

    The association of anterior urethral valve (AUV) with posterior urethral valve (PUV) is rare. A 7-month-old infant was presented at a district hospital with episodes of acute pyelonephritis. He was treated medically and a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) confirmed bilateral vesico-urethral reflux. The presence of concomitant AUV and PUV was not recognized. He underwent several surgical procedures, which failed. He had reflux recurrence following two antireflux procedures. He had urinary retention after each operation, which was managed by vesicostomy and perineal urethrostomy. At the age of 3.5 years, he was referred to our paediatric urology clinic. Noticing the AUV and PUV in the past VCUG, the valves were fulgurated. Urodynamic study before and 3 months after valve ablation showed a high voiding pressure. VCUG 6 months following ablation showed no reflux, but several uroflowmetric studies showed a staccato and interrupted pattern. Empirical treatment with an alpha-blocker was started. One year after treatment, a repeat VCUG showed no reflux. Uroflowmetry and urodynamic studies returned to normal. The perineal urethrostomy was closed. The child was asymptomatic after 9 months of follow up.

  20. Systolic Anterior Motion of the Mitral Valve after Mitral Valve Repair

    PubMed Central

    Sternik, Leonid; Zehr, Kenton J.

    2005-01-01

    Factors predisposing patients to systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction after mitral valve repair are the presence of a myxomatous mitral valve with redundant leaflets, a nondilated hyperdynamic left ventricle, and a short distance between the mitral valve coaptation point and the ventricular septum after repair. From December 1999 through March 2000, we used our surgical method in 6 patients with severely myxomatous regurgitant mitral valves who were at risk of developing SAM. Leaflets were markedly redundant in all 6. Left ventricular function was hyperdynamic in 4 patients and normal in 2. Triangular or quadrangular resection of the midportion of the posterior leaflet and posterior band annuloplasty were performed. To prevent SAM and LVOT obstruction, extra, posteriorly directed, mid-posterior-leaflet secondary chordae tendineae, which would otherwise have been resected, were transferred to the underside of the middle of the mid-anterior leaflet with a small piece of associated valve as an anchoring pledget. This kept the redundant anterior leaflet edge, which extended below the coaptation point, away from the LVOT. No post-repair SAM or LVOT obstruction was observed on intraoperative or discharge echocardiography. All patients had no or trivial residual mitral regurgitation. We conclude that extra chordae tendineae, when available, can be used in mitral valve repair to tether the redundant anterior leaflet and thus prevent it from flipping into the LVOT. This will theoretically prevent SAM and LVOT obstruction in patients with risk factors for SAM. PMID:15902821

  1. Hemodynamic deterioration after aortic valve replacement in a patient with mixed systemic amyloidosis.

    PubMed

    Seki, Tatsuya; Hattori, Atsuo; Yoshida, Toshihito

    2017-08-01

    We report a case of hemodynamic deterioration after aortic valve replacement in a patient with mixed systemic amyloidosis. A 77-year-old male with severe aortic valve stenosis and 19 years hemodialysis underwent aortic valve replacement. Postoperatively, the patient died of hemodynamic deterioration. Autopsy findings showed massive, whole-body edema and mixed systemic amyloidosis (dialysis-related and AA amyloidosis). Clinical and autopsy findings implied that hemodynamic deterioration was caused by increased vascular permeability. The amyloid deposit to the vessel causes inflammatory changes and increases vascular permeability. Mixed systemic amyloidosis occurs very rarely and could increases vascular permeability even more than each single type of amyloidosis. Systemic amyloidosis may be a risk factor for hemodynamic deterioration after cardiac surgery. Patients with longtime hemodialysis and a history associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis would have at least single systemic amyloidosis, which should be considered a contraindication to cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

  2. Multi-port valve

    DOEpatents

    Lewin, Keith F.

    1997-04-15

    A multi-port valve for regulating, as a function of ambient air having varying wind velocity and wind direction in an open-field control area, the distribution of a fluid, particularly carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) gas, in a fluid distribution system so that the control area remains generally at an elevated fluid concentration or level of said fluid. The multi-port valve generally includes a multi-port housing having a plurality of outlets therethrough disposed in a first pattern of outlets and at least one second pattern of outlets, and a movable plate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough disposed in a first pattern of apertures and at least one second pattern of apertures. The first pattern of apertures being alignable with the first pattern of outlets and the at least one second pattern of apertures being alignable with the second pattern of outlets. The first pattern of apertures has a predetermined orientation with the at least one second pattern of apertures. For an open-field control area subject to ambient wind having a low velocity from any direction, the movable plate is positioned to equally distribute the supply of fluid in a fluid distribution system to the open-field control area. For an open-field control area subject to ambient wind having a high velocity from a given direction, the movable plate is positioned to generally distribute a supply of fluid in a fluid distribution system to that portion of the open-field control area located upwind.

  3. Multi-port valve

    DOEpatents

    Lewin, K.F.

    1997-04-15

    A multi-port valve is described for regulating, as a function of ambient air having varying wind velocity and wind direction in an open-field control area, the distribution of a fluid, particularly carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) gas, in a fluid distribution system so that the control area remains generally at an elevated fluid concentration or level of said fluid. The multi-port valve generally includes a multi-port housing having a plurality of outlets there through disposed in a first pattern of outlets and at least one second pattern of outlets, and a movable plate having a plurality of apertures extending there through disposed in a first pattern of apertures and at least one second pattern of apertures. The first pattern of apertures being alignable with the first pattern of outlets and the at least one second pattern of apertures being alignable with the second pattern of outlets. The first pattern of apertures has a predetermined orientation with the at least one second pattern of apertures. For an open-field control area subject to ambient wind having a low velocity from any direction, the movable plate is positioned to equally distribute the supply of fluid in a fluid distribution system to the open-field control area. For an open-field control area subject to ambient wind having a high velocity from a given direction, the movable plate is positioned to generally distribute a supply of fluid in a fluid distribution system to that portion of the open-field control area located upwind. 7 figs.

  4. Downhole surge valve for earth boring apparatus

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lee, D.W.

    1990-05-29

    This patent describes a boring tool assembly having an underground percussion mole boring tool powered by a working fluid, the tool being driven through the earth by a rigid drill string pushed by a drilling frame, and a downhole valve assembly fixed between the downhole end of the drill string and the too, the improved downhole valve assembly. It comprises: a valve spool having an open first end, a closed second end and a peripheral sidewall, an axial bore extending partly through the valve spool from the open first end; a radial passage adjacent the closed second and of themore » valve spool, the radial passage extending radially from the valve spool axial bore through the valve spool peripheral sidewall; an axial groove in the peripheral sidewall of the valve spool; a valve body having a first end, a second end and a peripheral sidewall, an axial bore extending through the valve body, the valve spool extending through the valve body axial bore so that the second end of the valve body is adjacent the closed second end of the valve spool, the valve spool being axially moveable within the valve body axial bore; an axial slot; a free-floating key element; a valve housing; and seal means.« less

  5. Prosthetic aortic valve: a bone in the system.

    PubMed

    Pereira, Vitor Hugo; Guardado, Joana; Fernandes, Marina; Lourenço, Mário; Machado, Inocência; Quelhas, Isabel; Azevedo, Olga; Lourenço, António

    2015-02-01

    We report a case of a 73-year-old female patient admitted to the surgical department for a splenic abscess. She had a history of a mechanical aortic valve implanted two years earlier. During the diagnostic work-up, the patient underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram that revealed the presence of multiple paravalvular abscesses, establishing the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis. A few days later, the echocardiogram was repeated due to a new-onset systolic-diastolic murmur. A large pseudoaneurysm and significant periprosthetic regurgitation were now noted and the patient was referred for cardiac surgery. The microbiologic exam revealed the presence of Streptococcus milleri, usually found in the gastrointestinal flora and a known pathogenic agent of endocarditis. Interestingly, the patient had had a foreign body (bone fragment) removed from her esophagus a few weeks earlier, which was the probable portal of entry for this infective endocarditis. Copyright © 2014 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

  6. A patient-specific aortic valve model based on moving resistive immersed implicit surfaces.

    PubMed

    Fedele, Marco; Faggiano, Elena; Dedè, Luca; Quarteroni, Alfio

    2017-10-01

    In this paper, we propose a full computational framework to simulate the hemodynamics in the aorta including the valve. Closed and open valve surfaces, as well as the lumen aorta, are reconstructed directly from medical images using new ad hoc algorithms, allowing a patient-specific simulation. The fluid dynamics problem that accounts from the movement of the valve is solved by a new 3D-0D fluid-structure interaction model in which the valve surface is implicitly represented through level set functions, yielding, in the Navier-Stokes equations, a resistive penalization term enforcing the blood to adhere to the valve leaflets. The dynamics of the valve between its closed and open position is modeled using a reduced geometric 0D model. At the discrete level, a finite element formulation is used and the SUPG stabilization is extended to include the resistive term in the Navier-Stokes equations. Then, after time discretization, the 3D fluid and 0D valve models are coupled through a staggered approach. This computational framework, applied to a patient-specific geometry and data, allows to simulate the movement of the valve, the sharp pressure jump occurring across the leaflets, and the blood flow pattern inside the aorta.

  7. Update of transcatheter valve treatment

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Xian-bao; Wang, Jian-an

    2013-01-01

    Transcatheter valve implantation or repair has been a very promising approach for the treatment of valvular heart diseases since transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was successfully performed in 2002. Great achievements have been made in this field (especially TAVI and transcatheter mitral valve repair—MitraClip system) in recent years. Evidence from clinical trials or registry studies has proved that transcatheter valve treatment for valvular heart diseases is safe and effective in surgical high-risk or inoperable patients. As the evidence accumulates, transcatheter valve treatment might be an alterative surgery for younger patients with surgically low or intermediate risk valvular heart diseases in the near future. In this paper, the updates on transcatheter valve treatment are reviewed. PMID:23897785

  8. Pressure control valve. [inflating flexible bladders

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lambson, K. H. (Inventor)

    1980-01-01

    A control valve is provided which is adapted to be connected between a pressure source, such as a vacuum pump, and a pressure vessel so as to control the pressure in the vessel. The valve comprises a housing having a longitudinal bore which is connected between the pump and vessel, and a transversely movable valve body which controls the air flow through an air inlet in the housing. The valve body includes cylindrical and conical shaped portions which cooperate with reciprocally shaped portions of the housing to provide flow control. A filter in the air inlet removes foreign matter from the air. The bottom end of the valve body is screwed into the valve housing control knob formed integrally with the valve body and controls translation of the valve body, and the opening and closing of the valve.

  9. Passively actuated valve

    DOEpatents

    Modro, S. Michael; Ougouag, Abderrafi M.

    2005-09-20

    A passively actuated valve for isolating a high pressure zone from a low pressure zone and discontinuing the isolation when the pressure in the high pressure zone drops below a preset threshold. If the pressure in the high pressure zone drops below the preset threshold, the valve opens and allows flow from the high pressure zone to the low pressure zone. The valve remains open allowing pressure equalization and back-flow should a pressure inversion between the two pressure zone occur.

  10. Capnocytophaga canimorsus: a rare case of conservatively treated prosthetic valve endocarditis.

    PubMed

    Jalava-Karvinen, Päivi; Grönroos, Juha O; Tuunanen, Helena; Kemppainen, Jukka; Oksi, Jarmo; Hohenthal, Ulla

    2018-05-01

    We describe a rare case of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by the canine bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsus in a male aged 73 years. The diagnosis of infective endocarditis was unequivocal, as it blood cultures were positive for C. canimorsus and vegetations were detected on transesophageal echocardiography; the modified Duke criteria were fulfilled. PET-CT showed intense 18 F-FDG uptake of the prosthetic valve area. The patient was treated with antibiotics alone (no surgery), and is now on life-long suppressive antibiotic therapy. To our knowledge, this is the third reported case of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by C. canimorsus and the first one to have been treated conservatively. © 2018 APMIS. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  11. Mitral Valve Prolapse

    MedlinePlus

    ... valve syndrome . What happens during MVP? Watch an animation of mitral valve prolapse When the heart pumps ( ... our brochures Popular Articles 1 Understanding Blood Pressure Readings 2 Sodium and Salt 3 Heart Attack Symptoms ...

  12. Heart valve surgery

    MedlinePlus

    ... with an artificial valve (this is called the Ross Procedure). This procedure may be useful for people ... valve that does not close all the way will allow blood to leak backwards. This is called ...

  13. Deceleration system for kinematic linkages of positioning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stan, G.

    2017-08-01

    Flexible automation is used more and more in various production processes, so that both machining itself on CNC machine tools and workpiece handling means are performed through programming the needed working cycle. In order to obtain a successful precise positioning, each motion degree needs a certain deceleration before stopping at a programmed point. The increase of motion speed of moving elements within the manipulators structure depends directly on deceleration duty quality before the programmed stop. Proportional valves as well as servo-valves that can perform hydraulic decelerations are well known, but they feature several disadvantages, such as: high price, severe conditions for oil filtering and low reliability under industrial conditions. This work presents a new deceleration system that allows adjustment of deceleration slope according to actual conditions: inertial mass, speed etc. The new solution of hydraulic decelerator allows its integration to a position loop or its usage in case of positioning large elements that only perform fixed cycles. The results being obtained on the positioning accuracy of a linear axis using the new solution of the hydraulic decelerator are presented, too. The price of the new deceleration system is much lower compared to the price of proportional valves or servo-valves.

  14. Intraluminal valves: development, function and disease

    PubMed Central

    Geng, Xin; Cha, Boksik; Mahamud, Md. Riaj

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT The circulatory system consists of the heart, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, which function in parallel to provide nutrients and remove waste from the body. Vascular function depends on valves, which regulate unidirectional fluid flow against gravitational and pressure gradients. Severe valve disorders can cause mortality and some are associated with severe morbidity. Although cardiac valve defects can be treated by valve replacement surgery, no treatment is currently available for valve disorders of the veins and lymphatics. Thus, a better understanding of valves, their development and the progression of valve disease is warranted. In the past decade, molecules that are important for vascular function in humans have been identified, with mouse studies also providing new insights into valve formation and function. Intriguing similarities have recently emerged between the different types of valves concerning their molecular identity, architecture and development. Shear stress generated by fluid flow has also been shown to regulate endothelial cell identity in valves. Here, we review our current understanding of valve development with an emphasis on its mechanobiology and significance to human health, and highlight unanswered questions and translational opportunities. PMID:29125824

  15. Variable Valve Actuation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jeffrey Gutterman; A. J. Lasley

    2008-08-31

    Many approaches exist to enable advanced mode, low temperature combustion systems for diesel engines - such as premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI), Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) or other HCCI-like combustion modes. The fuel properties and the quantity, distribution and temperature profile of air, fuel and residual fraction in the cylinder can have a marked effect on the heat release rate and combustion phasing. Figure 1 shows that a systems approach is required for HCCI-like combustion. While the exact requirements remain unclear (and will vary depending on fuel, engine size and application), some form of substantially variable valve actuation ismore » a likely element in such a system. Variable valve actuation, for both intake and exhaust valve events, is a potent tool for controlling the parameters that are critical to HCCI-like combustion and expanding its operational range. Additionally, VVA can be used to optimize the combustion process as well as exhaust temperatures and impact the after treatment system requirements and its associated cost. Delphi Corporation has major manufacturing and product development and applied R&D expertise in the valve train area. Historical R&D experience includes the development of fully variable electro-hydraulic valve train on research engines as well as several generations of mechanical VVA for gasoline systems. This experience has enabled us to evaluate various implementations and determine the strengths and weaknesses of each. While a fully variable electro-hydraulic valve train system might be the 'ideal' solution technically for maximum flexibility in the timing and control of the valve events, its complexity, associated costs, and high power consumption make its implementation on low cost high volume applications unlikely. Conversely, a simple mechanical system might be a low cost solution but not deliver the flexibility required for HCCI operation. After modeling more than 200 variations of the

  16. Space Vehicle Valve System

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kelley, Anthony R. (Inventor); Lindner, Jeffrey L. (Inventor)

    2014-01-01

    The present invention is a space vehicle valve system which controls the internal pressure of a space vehicle and the flow rate of purged gases at a given internal pressure and aperture site. A plurality of quasi-unique variable dimension peaked valve structures cover the purge apertures on a space vehicle. Interchangeable sheet guards configured to cover valve apertures on the peaked valve structure contain a pressure-activated surface on the inner surface. Sheet guards move outwardly from the peaked valve structure when in structural contact with a purge gas stream flowing through the apertures on the space vehicle. Changing the properties of the sheet guards changes the response of the sheet guards at a given internal pressure, providing control of the flow rate at a given aperture site.

  17. ULTRA HIGH VACUUM VALVE

    DOEpatents

    Fry, W.A.

    1962-05-29

    A valve for high vacuum applications such as the CStellarator where chamber pressures as low as 2 x 10/sup -10/ mm Hg are necessary is designed with a line-of-sight path through the valve for visual inspection of the contents of reactants in such chambers. The valve comprises a turnable resilient metal ball having an aperture therethrough, means for selectively turning the ball to rotate the axis of its line-of-sight path, and soft, deformable opposing orifices that are movable relatively toward said ball to seal with opposite ball surfaces upon said movement of said axis of said line-of-sight path. The valve also includes a bellows seal connected between said orifices and internal actuating means that eliminates the requirement for gasketed turnable valve closing stems. (AEC)

  18. Does the disparity in baseline characteristics of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement with 23 mm vs. 26 mm valves impact clinical outcome?

    PubMed

    Escárcega, Ricardo O; Magalhaes, Marco A; Baker, Nevin C; Lipinski, Michael J; Minha, Sa'ar; Torguson, Rebecca; Chen, Fang; Satler, Lowell F; Pichard, Augusto D; Waksman, Ron

    2016-01-01

    We sought to identify if baseline characteristic differences in patients who receive a 23 mm vs. 26 mm valve impact clinical outcomes. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently an approved therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are considered inoperable or are at high risk. We retrospectively examined baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving a 23 mm (n = 132) vs. 26 mm valve (n = 81) via the transfemoral approach. Gender (P < 0.01), previous coronary artery bypass surgery (P < 0.01), history of atrial fibrillation (P = 0.04), and mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score (P < 0.01) were significantly different between groups. There were no significant differences in the rates of minor/major vascular complications (2.2 vs. 3.7%, P = 0.68 and 13.0 vs. 12.3%, P = 0.89, respectively). Bleeding complications were also comparable (major bleed 2.3 vs. 1%, P >0.99, minor bleed 19.0 vs. 22.0%, P = 0.67 and life threatening bleed 7.0 vs. 5.0%, P = 0.77). In-hospital death (6.0 vs. 5.0%, P >0.99), 30-day all-cause death (7.6 vs. 6.2%, P = 0.69), and all-cause death at 1 year (17.4 vs. 25.9%, P = 0.13) were also similar between groups. Gender, valve size, previous coronary bypass surgery and atrial fibrillation were not independently associated with mortality; however, on multivariate analysis STS score was (HR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02-1.19; P = 0.01). Patients undergoing TAVR with 23 and 26 mm valves have similar clinical outcomes despite significant differences in baseline characteristics. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. All metal valve structure for gas systems

    DOEpatents

    Baker, Ray W.; Pawlak, Donald A.; Ramey, Alford J.

    1984-11-13

    A valve assembly with a resilient metal seat member is disclosed for providing a gas-tight seal in a gas handling system. The valve assembly also includes a valve element for sealing against the valve seat member; and an actuating means for operating the valve element. The valve seat member is a one-piece stainless steel ring having a central valve port and peripheral mounting flange, and an annular corrugation in between. A groove between the first and second ridges serves as a flexure zone during operation of the valve member and thus provides the seating pressure between the inner ridge or valve seat and the valve element. The outer annular ridge has a diameter less than said valve element to limit the seating motion of the valve element, preventing non-elastic deformation of the seat member.

  20. All-metal valve structure for gas systems

    DOEpatents

    Baker, R.W.; Pawlak, D.A.; Ramey, A.J.

    1982-06-10

    A valve assembly with a resilient metal seat member is disclosed for providing a gas-tight seal in a gas handling system. The valve assembly also includes a valve element for sealing against the valve seat member; and an actuating means for operating the valve element. The valve seat member is a one-piece stainless steel ring having a central valve port and peripheral mounting flange, and an annular corrugation in between. A groove between the first and second ridges serves as a flexure zone during operation of the valve member and thus provides the seating pressure between the inner ridge or valve seat and the valve element. The outer annular ridge has a diameter less than said valve element to limit the seating motion of the valve element, preventing non-elastic deformation of the seat member.

  1. Microblower assisted barometric valve

    DOEpatents

    Rossabi, Joseph; Hyde, Warren K.; Riha, Brian D.; Jackson, Dennis G.; Sappington, Frank

    2005-12-06

    A gas exchange apparatus is provided which provides for both passive fluid flow and blower associated fluid flow through a barometric valve. A battery powered blower is provided which allows for operation of the barometric valve during times when the barometric valve would otherwise be closed, and provides for enhanced volume of gas exchange.

  2. Liquid rocket valve assemblies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1973-01-01

    The design and operating characteristics of valve assemblies used in liquid propellant rocket engines are discussed. The subjects considered are as follows: (1) valve selection parameters, (2) major design aspects, (3) design integration of valve subassemblies, and (4) assembly of components and functional tests. Information is provided on engine, stage, and spacecraft checkout procedures.

  3. Aerosol penetration through respirator exhalation valves.

    PubMed

    Bellin, P; Hinds, W C

    1990-10-01

    Exhalation valves are a critical component of industrial respirators. They are designed to permit minimal inward leakage of air contaminants during inhalation and provide low resistance during exhalation. Under normal conditions, penetration of aerosol through exhalation valves is minimal. The exhalation valve is, however, a vulnerable component of a respirator and under actual working conditions may become dirty or damaged to the point of causing significant leakage. Aerosol penetration was measured for normal exhalation valves and valves compromised by paint or fine copper wires on the valve seat. Penetration increased with increasing wire diameter. A wire 250 microns in diameter allowed greater than 1% penetration into the mask cavity. Dirt or paint accumulated on the exhalation valve allowed a similar level of penetration. Work rate had little effect on observed penetration. Penetration decreased significantly with increasing aerosol particle size. The amount of material on the valve or valve seat necessary for significant (greater than 0.5%) inward leakage in a half-mask respirator could be readily observed by careful inspection of the exhalation valve and its seat in good lighting conditions.

  4. Spool-Valve Pressure-Difference Regulator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grasso, A. P.

    1983-01-01

    Valves maintain preset pressure difference between gas flows. Two spool valves connected by shaft move back and forth in response to changes in pressure in oxygen and hydrogen chambers. Spool-valve assembly acts to restore pressures to preset difference. By eliminating diaphragms, pressure exerted directly on external end of spool valve; however, forces and therefore sensitivity of assembly are reduced.

  5. Valve-in-valve using an Edwards Sapien XT into a JenaValve in a patient with a low originating left coronary artery and a heavily calcified aorta.

    PubMed

    Fujita, Buntaro; Scholtz, Smita; Ensminger, Stephan

    2016-04-01

    Coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a potentially life-threatening complication. Most of the widely used transcatheter heart valves require a certain distance between the basal aortic annular plane and the origins of the coronary arteries. We report the case of a successful valve-in-valve procedure with an Edwards SAPIEN XT valve into a JenaValve as a bail-out procedure in a patient with a low originating left coronary artery and a heavily calcified aorta. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Probability of Positive Genetic Testing Results in Patients with Family History of Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

    PubMed

    El Lakis, Mustapha; Nockel, Pavel; Gaitanidis, Apostolos; Guan, Bin; Agarwal, Sunita; Welch, James; Simonds, William F; Weinstein, Lee; Marx, Stephen; Nilubol, Naris; Patel, Dhaval; Merkel, Roxanne; Tirosh, Amit; Kebebew, Electron

    2018-05-01

    Approximately 10% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) have hereditary disease. Hereditary PHPT may be syndromic (MEN1, 2, and 4 and hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome) or non-syndromic (familial isolated PHPT). There are limited data on the probability of testing positive for genetic mutation based on clinical presentation. The aim of this study was to determine potential associations between clinical and biochemical features and mutation in susceptibility genes for PHPT in patients with a family history of PHPT. A retrospective analysis of 657 patients who had an initial parathyroidectomy for PHPT at a tertiary referral center. Logistic regression analyses were performed in 205 patients with a family history of PHPT to identify factors associated with a positive genetic test. Of 657 patients, 205 (31.2%) had a family history of PHPT. Of those 205 patients, 123 (60%) had a germline mutation detected (91 MEN1, 14 CDC73, and 18 GCM2). In univariate analysis, younger age (45 years and younger), male sex, multigland disease, and parathyroid carcinoma were associated with positive germline mutation; biochemical cure after an initial parathyroidectomy was less frequent in patients with familial PHPT (96.2% vs 89.2%; p = 0.005). In multivariable analysis, age 45 years and younger, male sex, and multigland disease were independent factors associated with positive genetic testing. In addition to a family history of PHPT, male sex, age 45 years and younger, and presence of multigland disease, should prompt physicians to offer the opportunity for genetic counseling and testing, as it could influence the management of patients with PHPT. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  7. Bypass valve and coolant flow controls for optimum temperatures in waste heat recovery systems

    DOEpatents

    Meisner, Gregory P

    2013-10-08

    Implementing an optimized waste heat recovery system includes calculating a temperature and a rate of change in temperature of a heat exchanger of a waste heat recovery system, and predicting a temperature and a rate of change in temperature of a material flowing through a channel of the waste heat recovery system. Upon determining the rate of change in the temperature of the material is predicted to be higher than the rate of change in the temperature of the heat exchanger, the optimized waste heat recovery system calculates a valve position and timing for the channel that is configurable for achieving a rate of material flow that is determined to produce and maintain a defined threshold temperature of the heat exchanger, and actuates the valve according to the calculated valve position and calculated timing.

  8. Correlation between investment in sexual traits and valve sexual dimorphism in Cyprideis species (Ostracoda)

    PubMed Central

    Hunt, Gene; Lockwood, Rowan; Swaddle, John P.; Horne, David J.

    2017-01-01

    Assessing the long-term macroevolutionary consequences of sexual selection has been hampered by the difficulty of studying this process in the fossil record. Cytheroid ostracodes offer an excellent system to explore sexual selection in the fossil record because their readily fossilized carapaces are sexually dimorphic. Specifically, males are relatively more elongate than females in this superfamily. This sexual shape difference is thought to arise so that males carapaces can accommodate their very large copulatory apparatus, which can account for up to one-third of body volume. Here we test this widely held explanation for sexual dimorphism in cytheroid ostracodes by correlating investment in male genitalia, a trait in which sexual selection is seen as the main evolutionary driver, with sexual dimorphism of carapace in the genus Cyprideis. We analyzed specimens collected in the field (C. salebrosa, USA; C. torosa, UK) and from collections of the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC (C. mexicana). We digitized valve outlines in lateral view to obtain measures of size (valve area) and shape (elongation, measured as length to height ratio), and obtained several dimensions from two components of the hemipenis: the muscular basal capsule, which functions as a sperm pump, and the section that includes the intromittent organ (terminal extension). In addition to the assessment of this primary sexual trait, we also quantified two dimensions of the male secondary sexual trait—where the transformed right walking leg functions as a clasping organ during mating. We also measured linear dimensions from four limbs as indicators of overall (soft-part) body size, and assessed allometry of the soft anatomy. We observed significant correlations in males between valve size, but not elongation, and distinct structural parts of the hemipenis, even after accounting for their shared correlation with overall body size. We also found weak but significant positive

  9. Obstructed bi-leaflet prosthetic mitral valve imaging with real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

    PubMed

    Shimbo, Mai; Watanabe, Hiroyuki; Kimura, Shunsuke; Terada, Mai; Iino, Takako; Iino, Kenji; Ito, Hiroshi

    2015-01-01

    Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) can provide unique visualization and better understanding of the relationship among cardiac structures. Here, we report the case of an 85-year-old woman with an obstructed mitral prosthetic valve diagnosed promptly by RT3D-TEE, which clearly showed a leaflet stuck in the closed position. The opening and closing angles of the valve leaflets measured by RT3D-TEE were compatible with those measured by fluoroscopy. Moreover, RT3D-TEE revealed, in the ring of the prosthetic valve, thrombi that were not visible on fluoroscopy. RT3D-TEE might be a valuable diagnostic technique for prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. [Atrio-ventricular pressure difference associated with mitral valve motion].

    PubMed

    Wang, L M; Mori, H; Minezaki, K; Shinozaki, Y; Okino, H

    1990-05-01

    Pressure difference (PD) across the mitral valve was analyzed by a computer-aided catheter system in dogs. Positive PD (PPD) was consistently traced in the initial phase of rapid filling. While heart rate (HR) was below 100 beat/min, a negative PD (NPD) followed the above PPD. In the period between the NPD and the 2nd PPD due to atrial contraction, PD was kept at zero, while LA and LV pressures were gradually elevated by pulmonary venous return. As HR exceeded 100, 2 positive peaks of PD merged into M-shaped or mono-peaked PD. Through higher inflow resistance produced by artificial mitral stenosis, PPD peak decayed without NPD. In mitral regurgitation with an acute volume overload, all of the PD amplitudes were exaggerated. Thus the quick reversal of PD suggested the effect in blood filling process across the mitral valve.

  11. Effect of parental family history of Alzheimer's disease on serial position profiles.

    PubMed

    La Rue, Asenath; Hermann, Bruce; Jones, Jana E; Johnson, Sterling; Asthana, Sanjay; Sager, Mark A

    2008-07-01

    An exaggerated recency effect (ie, disproportionate recall of last-presented items) has been consistently observed in the word list learning of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our study sought to determine whether there were similar alterations in serial position learning among asymptomatic persons at risk for AD as a result of parental family history. Subjects included 623 asymptomatic middle-aged children of patients with AD (median, 53 years) and 157 control participants whose parents survived to at least age 70 without AD or other memory disorders. All participants were administered the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, which requires learning and recall of 15 unrelated nouns. There was no significant difference in total words recalled between the AD children and control groups. However, compared with controls, AD children exhibited a significantly greater tendency to recall words from the end (recency) versus beginning (primacy) of the list. Serial position effects were unrelated to apolipoprotein allele epsilon 4 or depressive symptoms. Asymptomatic persons at risk for AD by virtue of family history do not show a difference in total words recalled compared with controls, but they exhibit a distinctly different serial position curve, suggesting greater reliance on immediate as opposed to episodic memory. This is the same serial position pattern observed in mild AD, seen here in reduced severity. Longitudinal follow-up is planned to determine whether changes in serial position patterns are a meaningful marker for preclinical detection of AD.

  12. Bioprinting a cardiac valve.

    PubMed

    Jana, Soumen; Lerman, Amir

    2015-12-01

    Heart valve tissue engineering could be a possible solution for the limitations of mechanical and biological prostheses, which are commonly used for heart valve replacement. In tissue engineering, cells are seeded into a 3-dimensional platform, termed the scaffold, to make the engineered tissue construct. However, mimicking the mechanical and spatial heterogeneity of a heart valve structure in a fabricated scaffold with uniform cell distribution is daunting when approached conventionally. Bioprinting is an emerging technique that can produce biological products containing matrix and cells, together or separately with morphological, structural and mechanical diversity. This advance increases the possibility of fabricating the structure of a heart valve in vitro and using it as a functional tissue construct for implantation. This review describes the use of bioprinting technology in heart valve tissue engineering. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Fluid Dynamic Characterization of a Polymeric Heart Valve Prototype (Poli-Valve) tested under Continuous and Pulsatile Flow Conditions

    PubMed Central

    De Gaetano, Francesco; Serrani, Marta; Bagnoli, Paola; Brubert, Jacob; Stasiak, Joanna; Moggridge, Geoff D.; Costantino, Maria Laura

    2016-01-01

    Introduction Only mechanical and biological heart valve prostheses are currently commercially available. The former show longer durability but require anticoagulant therapy, the latter display better fluid dynamic behaviour but do not have adequate durability. New Polymeric Heart Valves (PHVs) could potentially combine the haemodynamic properties of biological valves with the durability of mechanical valves. This work presents a hydrodynamic evaluation of two groups of newly developed supra-annular tri-leaflet prosthetic heart valves made from styrenic block copolymers (SBC): Poli-Valves. Methods Two types of Poli-Valves made of SBC differing in polystyrene fraction content were tested under continuous and pulsatile flow conditions as prescribed by ISO 5840 Standard. An ad - hoc designed pulse duplicator allowed the valve prototypes to be tested at different flow rates and frequencies. Pressure and flow were recorded; pressure drops, effective orifice area (EOA), and regurgitant volume were computed to assess the valve’s behaviour. Results Both types Poli-Valves met the minimum requirements in terms of regurgitation and EOA as specified by ISO 5840 Standard. Results were compared with five mechanical heart valves (MHVs) and five tissue heart valves (THVs), currently available on the market. Conclusion Based on these results, polymeric heart valves based on styrenic block copolymers, as Poli-Valves are, can be considered as promising alternative for heart valve replacement in near future. PMID:26689146

  14. Fluid dynamic characterization of a polymeric heart valve prototype (Poli-Valve) tested under continuous and pulsatile flow conditions.

    PubMed

    De Gaetano, Francesco; Serrani, Marta; Bagnoli, Paola; Brubert, Jacob; Stasiak, Joanna; Moggridge, Geoff D; Costantino, Maria Laura

    2015-11-01

    Only mechanical and biological heart valve prostheses are currently commercially available. The former show longer durability but require anticoagulant therapy; the latter display better fluid dynamic behavior but do not have adequate durability. New Polymeric Heart Valves (PHVs) could potentially combine the hemodynamic properties of biological valves with the durability of mechanical valves. This work presents a hydrodynamic evaluation of 2 groups of newly developed supra-annular, trileaflet prosthetic heart valves made from styrenic block copolymers (SBC): Poli-Valves. 2 types of Poli-Valves made of SBC and differing in polystyrene fraction content were tested under continuous and pulsatile flow conditions as prescribed by ISO 5840 Standard. A pulse duplicator designed ad hoc allowed the valve prototypes to be tested at different flow rates and frequencies. Pressure and flow were recorded; pressure drops, effective orifice area (EOA), and regurgitant volume were computed to assess the behavior of the valve. Both types of Poli-Valves met the minimum requirements in terms of regurgitation and EOA as specified by the ISO 5840 Standard. Results were compared with 5 mechanical heart valves (MHVs) and 5 tissue heart valves (THVs), currently available on the market. Based on these results, PHVs based on styrenic block copolymers, as are Poli-Valves, can be considered a promising alternative for heart valve replacement in the near future.

  15. Low energy high pressure miniature screw valve

    DOEpatents

    Fischer, Gary J [Sandia Park, NM; Spletzer, Barry L [Albuquerque, NM

    2006-12-12

    A low energy high pressure screw valve having a valve body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion of said valve body defining an inlet flow passage and an outlet flow passage traversing said valve body to a valve seat, said upper portion of said valve body defining a cavity at said valve seat, a diaphragm restricting flow between said upper portion of said valve body and said lower portion, said diaphragm capable of engaging said valve seat to restrict fluid communication between said inlet passage and said outlet passage, a plunger within said cavity supporting said diaphragm, said plunger being capable of engaging said diaphragm with said valve seat at said inlet and outlet fluid passages, said plunger being in point contact with a drive screw having threads engaged with opposing threads within said upper portion of said valve body such engagement allowing motion of said drive screw within said valve body.

  16. Mitral valve surgery - minimally invasive

    MedlinePlus

    ... flow. Your valve has developed an infection (infectious endocarditis). You have severe mitral valve prolapse that is ... function. Damage to your heart valve from infection (endocarditis). A minimally invasive procedure has many benefits. There ...

  17. 49 CFR 195.116 - Valves.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... PIPELINE Design Requirements § 195.116 Valves. Each valve installed in a pipeline system must comply with the following: (a) The valve must be of a sound engineering design. (b) Materials subject to the...

  18. Effect of Molding and Machining on Neoflon CTFE M400H Polychlorotrifluoroethylene Rod Stock and Valve Seat Properties

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Waller, Jess M.; Newton, Barry E.; Beeson, Harold D.

    2003-01-01

    Guide for Evaluation Nonmetallic Materials for Oxygen Service (G 63). Attempts to uncover the origins of the observed dimensional instability were hindered by uncertainties about resin grade, process history, and post-process heat history introduced by machining, annealing, and sample preparation. An approach was therefore taken to monitor property changes before and after processing and machining using a single, well-characterized lot of Neoflon CTFE.1 M400H resin. A task group consisting of the current PCTFE resin supplier, two molders, and four valve seat manufacturers was formed, and phased testing on raw resin, intermediate rod stock, and finished valve seats initiated. The effect of processing and machining on the properties of PCTFE rod stock and oxygen gas cylinder valve seats was then determined. Testing focused on two types of extruded rod stock and one type of compression-molded rod stock. To accommodate valve seat manufacturer preferences for certain rod stock diameters, two representative diameters were used (4.8 mm (0.1875 in.) and 19.1 mm (0.75 in.)). To encompass a variety of possible sealing configurations, seven different valve seat types with unique geometries or machining histories were tested. The properties investigated were dimensional stability as determined by TMA, specific gravity, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), compressive strength, zero strength time, and intrinsic viscosity. Findings are discussed in the context of polymer structure-process-property relationships whenever possible.

  19. Transapical aortic valve implantation without angiography: proof of concept.

    PubMed

    Ferrari, Enrico; Sulzer, Christopher; Marcucci, Carlo; Rizzo, Elena; Tozzi, Piergiorgio; von Segesser, Ludwig K

    2010-06-01

    Cardiac computed tomographic scans, coronary angiograms, and aortographies are routinely performed in transcatheter heart valve therapies. Consequently, all patients are exposed to multiple contrast injections with a following risk of nephrotoxicity and postoperative renal failure. The transapical aortic valve implantation without angiography can prevent contrast-related complications. Between November 2008 and November 2009, 30 consecutive high-risk patients (16 female, 53.3%) underwent transapical aortic valve implantation without angiography. The landmarks identification, the stent-valve positioning, and the postoperative control were routinely performed under transesophageal echocardiogram and fluoroscopic visualization without contrast injections. Mean age was 80.1 +/- 8.7 years. Mean valve gradient, aortic orifice area, and ejection fraction were 60.3 +/- 20.9 mm Hg, 0.7 +/- 0.16 cm(2), and 0.526 +/- 0.128, respectively. Risk factors were pulmonary hypertension (60%), peripheral vascular disease (70%), chronic pulmonary disease (50%), previous cardiac surgery (13.3%), and chronic renal insufficiency (40%) (mean blood creatinine and urea levels: 96.8 +/- 54 microg/dL and 8.45 +/- 5.15 mmol/L). Average European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation was 32.2 +/- 13.3%. Valve deployment in the ideal landing zone was 96.7% successful and valve embolization occurred once. Thirty-day mortality was 10% (3 patients). Causes of death were the following: intraoperative ventricular rupture (conversion to sternotomy), right ventricular failure, and bilateral pneumonia. Stroke occurred in one patient at postoperative day 9. Renal failure (postoperative mean blood creatinine and urea levels: 91.1 +/- 66.8 microg/dL and 7.27 +/- 3.45 mmol/L), myocardial infarction, and atrioventricular block were not detected. Transapical aortic valve implantation without angiography requires a short learning curve and can be performed routinely by experienced teams. Our report

  20. Solenoid valve performance characteristics studied

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Abe, J. T.; Blackburn, S.

    1970-01-01

    Current and voltage waveforms of a solenoid coil are recorded as the valve opens and closes. Analysis of the waveforms with respect to time and the phase of the valve cycle accurately describes valve performance.

  1. 100. INTERIOR OF SKID 9A: VENT VALVE AND RELIEF VALVE ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    100. INTERIOR OF SKID 9A: VENT VALVE AND RELIEF VALVE FOR RAPID-LOAD LIQUID OXYGEN TANK - Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Pad 3 East, Napa & Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA

  2. Thermostatic Valves Containing Silicone-Oil Actuators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bhandari, Pradeep; Birur, Gajanana C.; Bame, David P.; Karlmann, Paul B.; Prina, Mauro; Young, William; Fisher, Richard

    2009-01-01

    Flow-splitting and flow-mixing thermally actuated spool valves have been developed for controlling flows of a heat-transfer fluid in a temperature-regulation system aboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover. Valves like these could also be useful in terrestrial temperature-regulation systems, including automobile air-conditioning systems and general refrigeration systems. These valves are required to provide smoother actuation over a wider temperature range than the flow-splitting, thermally actuated spool valves used in the Mars Explorer Rover (MER). Also, whereas the MER valves are unstable (tending to oscillate) in certain transition temperature ranges, these valves are required not to oscillate. The MER valves are actuated by thermal expansion of a wax against spring-loaded piston rods (as in common automotive thermostats). The MSL valves contain similar actuators that utilize thermal expansion of a silicone oil, because silicone-oil actuators were found to afford greater and more nearly linear displacements, needed for smoother actuation, over the required wider temperature range. The MSL valves also feature improved spool designs that reflect greater understanding of fluid dynamics, consideration of pressure drops in valves, and a requirement for balancing of pressures in different flow branches.

  3. Stress processes in HIV-positive African American mothers: moderating effects of drug abuse history.

    PubMed

    Burns, Myron J; Feaster, Daniel J; Mitrani, Victoria B; Ow, Christina; Szapocznik, José

    2008-01-01

    This study examined the mechanism by which stressors, dissatisfaction with family, perceived control, social support, and coping were related to psychological distress in a sample of HIV-positive African American mothers. Additional analyses explored whether women who had a history of a drug abuse or dependence diagnosis differed either on levels of the study variables or the model pathways. The results indicated that HIV-positive African American mothers who had higher levels of stressors perceived their stressors as a whole to be less controllable. Coping resources, available social support and perceived control, were positively associated with active coping and negatively associated with psychological distress. Avoidant coping was the most important predictor of psychological distress. Furthermore, the effect of avoidant coping on psychological distress was stronger for mothers with a history of drug diagnosis. The implications of these findings for targeting interventions are discussed.

  4. [Status of aortic valve reconstruction and Ross operation in aortic valve diseases].

    PubMed

    Sievers, Hans H

    2002-08-01

    At first glance the aortic valve is a relative simple valve mechanism connecting the left ventricle and the ascending aorta. Detailed analysis of the different components of the aortic valve including the leaflets and sinuses revealed a complex motion of each part leading to a perfect durable valve mechanism at rest and during exercise. Theoretically, the reconstruction or imitation of these structures in patients with aortic valve disease should lead to optimal results. Prerequisite is the exact knowledge of the important functional characteristics of the aortic valve. The dynamic behavior of the aortic root closely harmonizing with the leaflets not only warrants stress minimizing and valve durability, but also optimizes coronary flow, left ventricular function and aortic impedance. The newly discovered contractile capacity of the leaflets and the root components are important for tuning the dynamics. Isolated reconstruction of the aortic valve such as decalcification, commissurotomy, plication of ring or leaflets of a tricuspid aortic valve and cusp extension are seldom indicated in contrast to the reconstruction of the bicuspid insufficient valve. Proper indication and skilled techniques lead to excellent hemodynamic and clinical intermediate-term result up to 7 years after reconstruction. Latest follow-up revealed a mean aortic insufficiency of 0.7, maximal pressure gradient of 11.4 +/- 8.5 mm Hg with zero hospital or late mortality, reoperation or thromboembolic events in 22 patients. The reconstructive techniques for aortic root aneurysm and/or type A dissection according to David or Yacoub have become routine procedures in the last 10 years. The hemodynamic and clinical results are excellent with low reoperation rate and very low risk of thromboembolism. Generally, a maximal diameter of the root of 5 cm is indicative for performing the operation. In patients with Marfan's syndrome the reconstruction should be advanced even with smaller diameters especially

  5. Standardized methodology for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the Edwards Sapien XT valve under fluoroscopy guidance.

    PubMed

    Kasel, Albert M; Shivaraju, Anupama; Schneider, Stephan; Krapf, Stephan; Oertel, Frank; Burgdorf, Christof; Ott, Ilka; Sumer, Christian; Kastrati, Adnan; von Scheidt, Wolfgang; Thilo, Christian

    2014-09-01

    To provide a simplified, standardized methodology for a successful transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure with the Sapien XT valve in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). TAVR is currently reserved for patients with severe, symptomatic AS who are inoperable or at high operative risk. In many institutions, TAVR is performed under general anesthesia with intubation or with conscious sedation. In addition, many institutions still use transesophageal echo (TEE) during the procedure for aortic root angulations and positioning of the valve prior to implantation. Methods. We enrolled 100 consecutive patients (mean age, 80 ± 7 years; range, 50-94 years; female n=59) with severe symptomatic AS. Annulus measurements were based on computed tomography angiograms. All patients underwent fluoroscopy-guided transfemoral TAVR with little to no sedation and without simultaneous TEE. TAVR was predominantly performed with the use of local and central analgesics; only 36% of our cohort received conscious sedation. Procedural success of TAVR was 99%. Transthoracic echocardiography before discharge excluded aortic regurgitation (AR) >2 in all patients (AR >1; n=6). In-hospital stroke rate was 6%. The vessel closure system was successfully employed in 96%. Major vascular complication rate was 1%. The 30-day mortality was 2%. Fluoroscopy-guided TAVR with the use of just analgesics with or without conscious sedation is safe and effective, and this potentially enables a more time-effective and cost-effective procedure. This paper provides simplified, stepwise guidance on how to perform transfemoral TAVR with the Sapien XT valve.

  6. Options for Heart Valve Replacement

    MedlinePlus

    ... which may include human or animal donor tissue) Ross Procedure — “Borrowing” your healthy valve and moving it ... Considerations for Surgery Medications Valve Repair Valve Replacement - Ross Procedure - Newer Surgery Options - What is TAVR? - Types ...

  7. Damage-Free Relief-Valve Disassembly

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haselmaier, H.

    1986-01-01

    Tool safely disassembles relief valves without damage to sensitive parts. Relief-valve disassembly tool used to extract valve nozzle from its housing. Holding device on tool grops nozzle. When user strikes hammer against impact disk, holding device pulls nozzle from press fit. Previously, nozzle dislodged by striking spindle above it, but practice often damaged retaining screw. New tool removes nozzle directly. With minor modifications, tool adapted to valves from different manufacturers.

  8. Regression of aortic valve stenosis by ApoA-I mimetic peptide infusions in rabbits

    PubMed Central

    Busseuil, D; Shi, Y; Mecteau, M; Brand, G; Kernaleguen, A-E; Thorin, E; Latour, J-G; Rhéaume, E; Tardif, J-C

    2008-01-01

    Background and purpose: Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is the most common valvular heart disease, and standard curative therapy remains open heart surgical valve replacement. The aim of our experimental study was to determine if apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) mimetic peptide infusions could induce regression of AVS. Experimental approach: Fifteen New Zealand White male rabbits received a cholesterol-enriched diet and vitamin D2 until significant AVS was detected by echocardiography. The enriched diet was then stopped to mimic cholesterol-lowering therapy and animals were allocated randomly to receive saline (control group, n=8) or an ApoA-I mimetic peptide (treated group, n=7), three times per week for 2 weeks. Serial echocardiograms and post mortem valve histology were performed. Key results: Aortic valve area increased significantly by 25% in the treated group after 14 days of treatment (P=0.012). Likewise, aortic valve thickness decreased by 21% in the treated group, whereas it was unchanged in controls (P=0.0006). Histological analysis revealed that the extent of lesions at the base of valve leaflets and sinuses of Valsalva was smaller in the treated group compared with controls (P=0.032). The treatment also reduced calcification, as revealed by the loss of the positive relationship observed in the control group (r=0.87, P=0.004) between calcification area and aortic valve thickness. Conclusions and implications: Infusions of ApoA-I mimetic peptide lead to regression of experimental AVS. These positive results justify the further testing of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-based therapies in patients with valvular aortic stenosis. Regression of aortic stenosis, if achieved safely, could transform the clinical treatment of this disease. PMID:18414386

  9. Aortic valve replacement for papillary fibroelastoma.

    PubMed

    Arikan, Ali Ahmet; Omay, Oğuz; Aydın, Fatih; Kanko, Muhip; Gür, Sibel; Derviş, Emir; Yılmaz, Cansu Eda; Müezzinoğlu, Bahar

    2017-06-01

    Surgery is indicated for symptomatic patients with papillary fibroelastomas (PFE) on the aortic valve. The valve is commonly spared during tumor excision. Rarely, aortic valve replacement (AVR) is needed. We present a case requiring AVR for an aortic valve PFE and review the literature to determine the risk factors for failure of aortic valve-sparing techniques in patients with PFE. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Leaflet embolisation from Duromedics valves: a report of two cases.

    PubMed

    Kumar, N; Balasundaram, S; Rickard, M; al Halees, Z; Duran, C M

    1991-12-01

    Embolization of parts of mechanical valves has been reported since the inception of prosthetic valve implantation. We report here two cases of embolization of one hemileaflet of a Duromedic bileaflet prosthesis in the mitral position due to a pivot fracture. Both presented with moderately severe mitral regurgitation and pulmonary edema and were successfully managed by replacement of the malfunctioning prostheses. The embolised disc was located in the left common iliac artery by abdominal ultrasound and removed by an inguinal, retroperitoneal approach with low morbidity. Both patients left hospital and are doing well to-date.

  11. Acceptance and introduction of disruptive technologies - simple steps to build a fully functional pulmonary valved stent.

    PubMed

    Huber, Christoph H; Marty, Bettina; von Segesser, Ludwig K

    2007-08-01

    Valved stents are new land for cardiac surgeons even though they are being used more frequently by interventional disciplines. This paper presents simple steps to build a patient-specific pulmonary valved stent and its delivery device. The design concept was tested by random participants at a med-tech meeting. The valved stent is constructed by linking an endoprosthetic graft with a valved-jugular-vein. The delivery device is made from a modified 5-ml syringe. Of 72 participants, 66 (92%) built and 60 participants implanted the device successfully into the targeted pulmonary position via a trans-infundibular access.

  12. The Interpretation of Mg/Ca in Ostracode Valves: Biokinetic vs. Thermodynamic Controls

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dettman, D. L.; Palacios-Fest, M. R.; Cohen, A. S.

    2004-12-01

    The geochemistry of the calcite valves of ostracodes (a group of micro-crustacean) is often used to reconstruct the history of aqueous environments in both marine and fresh-water settings. These benthic animals can be very abundant in lakes and ponds and their low-Mg calcite valves are easily recovered from sediment cores. Many studies have used minor-element ratios (Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca) as indicators of temperature and/or salinity change through time and numerous calibration studies have been undertaken. There is considerable disagreement on the interpretation of both historical data and calibration studies because of differing views on what controls elemental ratios in ostracode valves. Here we focus on Mg/Ca ratios and critique the dominant assumption that Mg/Ca ratios in ostracode calcite are interpretable as a temperature-dependant distribution (or partition) coefficient. The use of a distribution coefficient, usually defined as a ratio of shell-to-water Mg/Ca ratios, assumes that the ratio in the water plays a significant role in the resultant ratio in the shell. Ostracode biomineralization is most commonly viewed as equivalent to inorganic precipitation of low-Mg calcite from solution, a system in which distribution coefficients are probably valid models. However, a re-examination of published studies shows that in many cases Mg/Ca(water) has no statistically demonstrable affect on the Mg/Ca ratio of ostracode valve calcite. The valve Mg/Ca ratio is most often a function of ambient temperature. In a number of studies the importance of the water's Mg/Ca ratio cannot be determined due to auto-correlation with other environmental factors. This implies that there is considerable biological control on the minor element chemistry of the ostracode valve. This is supported by a number of observations: valve calcification is rapid and initiated by the animal; Mg/Ca ratios within the valve vary greatly on a microscopic scale; the earliest carbonate formed during

  13. 46 CFR 56.20-9 - Valve construction.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) motion of the handwheel or operating lever as seen by one facing the end of the valve stem. Each gate, globe, and angle valve must generally be of the rising-stem type, preferably with the stem threads... nonrising-stem valve will be acceptable. Each nonrising-stem valve, lever-operated valve, or other valve...

  14. 46 CFR 56.20-9 - Valve construction.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...) motion of the handwheel or operating lever as seen by one facing the end of the valve stem. Each gate, globe, and angle valve must generally be of the rising-stem type, preferably with the stem threads... nonrising-stem valve will be acceptable. Each nonrising-stem valve, lever-operated valve, or other valve...

  15. 46 CFR 56.20-9 - Valve construction.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...) motion of the handwheel or operating lever as seen by one facing the end of the valve stem. Each gate, globe, and angle valve must generally be of the rising-stem type, preferably with the stem threads... nonrising-stem valve will be acceptable. Each nonrising-stem valve, lever-operated valve, or other valve...

  16. 46 CFR 56.20-9 - Valve construction.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...) motion of the handwheel or operating lever as seen by one facing the end of the valve stem. Each gate, globe, and angle valve must generally be of the rising-stem type, preferably with the stem threads... nonrising-stem valve will be acceptable. Each nonrising-stem valve, lever-operated valve, or other valve...

  17. Inverse spin-valve effect in nanoscale Si-based spin-valve devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hiep, Duong Dinh; Tanaka, Masaaki; Hai, Pham Nam

    2017-12-01

    We investigated the spin-valve effect in nano-scale silicon (Si)-based spin-valve devices using a Fe/MgO/Ge spin injector/detector deposited on Si by molecular beam epitaxy. For a device with a 20 nm Si channel, we observed clear magnetoresistance up to 3% at low temperature when a magnetic field was applied in the film plane along the Si channel transport direction. A large spin-dependent output voltage of 20 mV was observed at a bias voltage of 0.9 V at 15 K, which is among the highest values in lateral spin-valve devices reported so far. Furthermore, we observed that the sign of the spin-valve effect is reversed at low temperatures, suggesting the possibility of a spin-blockade effect of defect states in the MgO/Ge tunneling barrier.

  18. Valve malfunction detection apparatus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burley, Richard K.

    1993-07-01

    A detection system is provided for sensing a malfunction of a valve having an outlet connected to an end of a first pipe through which pressurized fluid may be flowed in a downstream direction away from the valve. The system includes a bypass pipe connected at its opposite ends to the first pipe and operative to bypass a portion of the fluid flow therethrough around a predetermined section thereof. A housing is interiorly divided by a flexible diaphragm into first and second opposite chambers which are respectively communicated with the first pipe section and the bypass pipe, the diaphragm being spring-biased toward the second chamber. The diaphragm housing cooperates with check valves and orifices connected in the two pipes to create and maintain a negative pressure in the first pipe section in response to closure of the valve during pressurized flow through the first pipe. A pressure switch senses the negative pressure and transmits a signal indicative thereof to a computer. Upon cessation of the signal while the valve is still closed, the computer responsively generates a signal indicating that the valve, or another portion of the detection system, is leaking.

  19. Valve malfunction detection apparatus

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burley, Richard K. (Inventor)

    1993-01-01

    A detection system is provided for sensing a malfunction of a valve having an outlet connected to an end of a first pipe through which pressurized fluid may be flowed in a downstream direction away from the valve. The system includes a bypass pipe connected at its opposite ends to the first pipe and operative to bypass a portion of the fluid flow therethrough around a predetermined section thereof. A housing is interiorly divided by a flexible diaphragm into first and second opposite chambers which are respectively communicated with the first pipe section and the bypass pipe, the diaphragm being spring-biased toward the second chamber. The diaphragm housing cooperates with check valves and orifices connected in the two pipes to create and maintain a negative pressure in the first pipe section in response to closure of the valve during pressurized flow through the first pipe. A pressure switch senses the negative pressure and transmits a signal indicative thereof to a computer. Upon cessation of the signal while the valve is still closed, the computer responsively generates a signal indicating that the valve, or another portion of the detection system, is leaking.

  20. Electro-Mechanical Coaxial Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Patterson, Paul R (Inventor)

    2004-01-01

    Coaxial valves usually contain only one moving part. It has not been easy, then, to provide for electric motor actuation. Many actuators being proposed involve designs which lead to bulky packages. The key facing those improving coaxial valves is the provision of suitable linear actuation. The valve herein indudes a valve housing with a flow channel there-through. Arranged in the flow channel is a closing body. In alignment with the closing body is a ball screw actuator which includes a ball nut and a cylindrical screw. The ball nut sounds a threaded portion of the cylindrical screw. The cylindrical screw is provided with a passageway there-through through which fluid flows. The cylindrical screw is disposed in the flow channel to become a control tube adapted to move toward and away from the valve seat. To rotate the ball nut an actuating drive is employed driven by a stepper motor.

  1. Optothermally actuated capillary burst valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eriksen, Johan; Bilenberg, Brian; Kristensen, Anders; Marie, Rodolphe

    2017-04-01

    We demonstrate the optothermal actuation of individual capillary burst valves in an all-polymer microfluidic device. The capillary burst valves are realised in a planar design by introducing a fluidic constriction in a microfluidic channel of constant depth. We show that a capillary burst valve can be burst by raising the temperature due to the temperature dependence of the fluid surface tension. We address individual valves by using a local heating platform based on a thin film of near infrared absorber dye embedded in the lid used to seal the microfluidic device [L. H. Thamdrup et al., Nano Lett. 10, 826-832 (2010)]. An individual valve is burst by focusing the laser in its vicinity. We demonstrate the capture of single polystyrene 7 μm beads in the constriction triggered by the bursting of the valve.

  2. SLM Produced Hermetically Sealed Isolation Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Richard, James

    2014-01-01

    Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has developed a valve concept to replace traditional pyrotechnic-driven isolation valves. This paper will describe the valve design and development process. The valve design uses a stem/wedge to support a disk inside the valve. That disk hermetically seals the pressurized fluids. A release mechanism holds the stem/wedge and a large spring in place. When required to open, a solenoid is energized and pulls the release mechanism allowing the spring to pull the stem/wedge away from the disk. Now the disk is unsupported and the pressure ruptures the disk allowing flow to the outlet of the valve. This paper will provide details of this design, describe the development testing, and show the results from the valve level tests performed. Also, a trade study is presented to show the advantages of this design to a conventional pyrotechnic-based valve.

  3. SLM Produced Hermetically Sealed Isolation Valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Richard, James A.

    2014-01-01

    Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has developed a valve concept to replace traditional pyrotechnic driven isolation valves. This paper will describe the valve design and development process. The valve design uses a stem/wedge to support a disk inside the valve. That disk hermetically seals the pressurized fluids. A release mechanism holds the stem/wedge and a large spring in place. When required to open, a solenoid is energized and pulls the release mechanism allowing the spring to pull the stem/wedge away from the disk. Now the disk is unsupported and the pressure ruptures the disk allowing flow to the outlet of the valve. This paper will provide details of this design, describe the development testing, and show the results from the valve level tests performed. Also, a trade study is presented to show the advantages of this design to a conventional pyrotechnic based valve.

  4. Acute gastrointestinal bleeding following aortic valve replacement in a patient with Heyde's sindrome. Case report.

    PubMed

    De Palma, G D; Salvatori, F; Masone, S; Simeoli, I; Rega, M; Celiento, M; Persico, G

    2007-09-01

    A 58-year old man was admitted to the hospital because of melena. He had a 1-year history of mechanical aortic valve replacement and coronary stent placement because of myocardial infarction and he was taking warfarin and clopidogrel. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were negative for bleeding. Capsule endoscopy showed bleeding diffuse angiodysplasia of the small bowel. The patient was treated with octreotide 20 mg, at monthly interval. After 25 months there had been no recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding. The case suggests that mechanical valve replacement may not prevent gastrointestinal bleeding in Heyde syndrome and that octreotide treatment should be considered in these cases.

  5. Mitral valve-sparing procedures and prosthetic heart valve failure: A case report

    PubMed Central

    Khan, Nasir A; Butany, Jagdish; Leong, Shaun W; Rao, Vivek; Cusimano, Robert J; Ross, Heather J

    2009-01-01

    Prosthetic heart valve dysfunction due to thrombus or pannus formation can be a life-threatening complication. The present report describes a 47-year-old woman who developed valvular cardiomyopathy after chorda-sparing mitral valve replacement, and subsequently underwent heart transplantation for progressive heart failure. The explanted mitral valve prosthesis showed significant thrombus and pannus leading to reduced leaflet mobility and valvular stenosis. The present report illustrates the role of the subvalvular apparatus and pannus in prosthesis dysfunction. PMID:19279993

  6. Liquid rocket pressure regulators, relief valves, check valves, burst disks, and explosive valves. [design techniques and practices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1973-01-01

    The development of and operational programs for effective use in design are presented for liquid rocket pressure regulators, relief valves, check valves, burst disks, and explosive valves. A review of the total design problem is presented, and design elements are identified which are involved in successful design. Current technology pertaining to these elements is also described. Design criteria are presented which state what rule or standard must be imposed on each essential design element to assure successful design. These criteria serve as a checklist of rules for a project manager to use in guiding a design or in assessing its adequacy. Recommended practices are included which state how to satisfy each of the criteria.

  7. Pannus overgrowth after mitral valve replacement with a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis.

    PubMed

    Oda, Takeshi; Kato, Seiya; Tayama, Eiki; Fukunaga, Shuji; Akashi, Hidetoshi; Aoyagi, Shigeaki

    2009-01-01

    A Carpentier-Edwards pericardial (CEP) bioprosthesis was explanted from an 81-year-old woman due to nonstructural dysfunction 9 years after mitral valve replacement. The nonstructural dysfunction produced severe regurgitation in the mitral position. During the surgery, excessive pannus overgrowth was seen on the left ventricular side of the CEP bioprosthesis. Pannus overgrowth was prominent on one leaflet. That leaflet was stiff and shortened due to the excessive overgrowth of pannus. In this patient, the distortion of one leaflet was the main reason for transvalvular leakage of the CEP bioprosthesis in the mitral position. A new CEP bioprosthesis was implanted in the mitral position. Pathological analysis revealed fibrotic pannus with a small amount of cellular material over the leaflets of the resected CEP valve. This change was marked on the distorted leaflet.

  8. A fast rise-rate, adjustable-mass-bit gas puff valve for energetic pulsed plasma experiments

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Loebner, Keith T. K., E-mail: kloebner@stanford.edu; Underwood, Thomas C.; Cappelli, Mark A.

    2015-06-15

    A fast rise-rate, variable mass-bit gas puff valve based on the diamagnetic repulsion principle was designed, built, and experimentally characterized. The ability to hold the pressure rise-rate nearly constant while varying the total overall mass bit was achieved via a movable mechanical restrictor that is accessible while the valve is assembled and pressurized. The rise-rates and mass-bits were measured via piezoelectric pressure transducers for plenum pressures between 10 and 40 psig and restrictor positions of 0.02-1.33 cm from the bottom of the linear restrictor travel. The mass-bits were found to vary linearly with the restrictor position at a given plenummore » pressure, while rise-rates varied linearly with plenum pressure but exhibited low variation over the range of possible restrictor positions. The ability to change the operating regime of a pulsed coaxial plasma deflagration accelerator by means of altering the valve parameters is demonstrated.« less

  9. Simple Check Valves for Microfluidic Devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Willis, Peter A.; Greer, Harold F.; Smith, J. Anthony

    2010-01-01

    A simple design concept for check valves has been adopted for microfluidic devices that consist mostly of (1) deformable fluorocarbon polymer membranes sandwiched between (2) borosilicate float glass wafers into which channels, valve seats, and holes have been etched. The first microfluidic devices in which these check valves are intended to be used are micro-capillary electrophoresis (microCE) devices undergoing development for use on Mars in detecting compounds indicative of life. In this application, it will be necessary to store some liquid samples in reservoirs in the devices for subsequent laboratory analysis, and check valves are needed to prevent cross-contamination of the samples. The simple check-valve design concept is also applicable to other microfluidic devices and to fluidic devices in general. These check valves are simplified microscopic versions of conventional rubber- flap check valves that are parts of numerous industrial and consumer products. These check valves are fabricated, not as separate components, but as integral parts of microfluidic devices. A check valve according to this concept consists of suitably shaped portions of a deformable membrane and the two glass wafers between which the membrane is sandwiched (see figure). The valve flap is formed by making an approximately semicircular cut in the membrane. The flap is centered over a hole in the lower glass wafer, through which hole the liquid in question is intended to flow upward into a wider hole, channel, or reservoir in the upper glass wafer. The radius of the cut exceeds the radius of the hole by an amount large enough to prevent settling of the flap into the hole. As in a conventional rubber-flap check valve, back pressure in the liquid pushes the flap against the valve seat (in this case, the valve seat is the adjacent surface of the lower glass wafer), thereby forming a seal that prevents backflow.

  10. Positive predictors of quality of life for postpartum mothers with a history of childhood maltreatment.

    PubMed

    Irwin, Jessica L; Beeghly, Marjorie; Rosenblum, Katherine L; Muzik, Maria

    2016-12-01

    The postpartum period brings a host of biopsychosocial, familial, and economic changes, which may be challenging for new mothers, especially those with trauma histories. Trauma-exposed women are at heightened risk for psychiatric symptomatology and reduced quality of life. The current study sought to evaluate whether a set of hypothesized promotive factors assessed during the first 18 months postpartum (positive parenting, family cohesion, and maternal resilience) are associated with life satisfaction in this population, after controlling for income and postpartum psychiatric symptoms. Analyses were based on data collected for 266 mother-infant dyads from a longitudinal cohort study, Maternal Anxiety during the Childbearing Years (MACY), of women oversampled for childhood maltreatment history. Hierarchical linear regression was used to evaluate the study hypotheses. Consistent with prior work, greater postpartum psychiatric symptoms and less income predicted poor perceptions of life quality. In hierarchical regressions controlling for income and psychiatric symptoms, positive parenting and family cohesion predicted unique variance in mothers' positive perceptions of life quality, and resilience was predictive beyond all other factors. Factors from multiple levels of analysis (maternal, dyadic, and familial) may serve as promotive factors predicting positive perceptions of life quality among women with childhood trauma histories, even those struggling with high levels of psychiatric or economic distress.

  11. Analysis of Complex Valve and Feed Systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ahuja, Vineet; Hosangadi, Ashvin; Shipman, Jeremy; Cavallo, Peter; Dash, Sanford

    2007-01-01

    A numerical framework for analysis of complex valve systems supports testing of propulsive systems by simulating key valve and control system components in the test loop. In particular, it is designed to enhance the analysis capability in terms of identifying system transients and quantifying the valve response to these transients. This system has analysis capability for simulating valve motion in complex systems operating in diverse flow regimes ranging from compressible gases to cryogenic liquids. A key feature is the hybrid, unstructured framework with sub-models for grid movement and phase change including cryogenic cavitations. The multi-element unstructured framework offers improved predictions of valve performance characteristics under steady conditions for structurally complex valves such as pressure regulator valve. Unsteady simulations of valve motion using this computational approach have been carried out for various valves in operation at Stennis Space Center such as the split-body valve and the 10-in. (approx.25.4-cm) LOX (liquid oxygen) valve and the 4-in. (approx.10 cm) Y-pattern valve (liquid nitrogen). Such simulations make use of variable grid topologies, thereby permitting solution accuracy and resolving important flow physics in the seat region of the moving valve. An advantage to this software includes possible reduction in testing costs incurred due to disruptions relating to unexpected flow transients or functioning of valve/flow control systems. Prediction of the flow anomalies leading to system vibrations, flow resonance, and valve stall can help in valve scheduling and significantly reduce the need for activation tests. This framework has been evaluated for its ability to predict performance metrics like flow coefficient for cavitating venturis and valve coefficient curves, and could be a valuable tool in predicting and understanding anomalous behavior of system components at rocket propulsion testing and design sites.

  12. High speed exhaust gas recirculation valve

    DOEpatents

    Fensom, Rod; Kidder, David J.

    2005-01-18

    In order to minimize pollutants such as Nox, internal combustion engines typically include an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve that can be used to redirect a portion of exhaust gases to an intake conduit, such as an intake manifold, so that the redirected exhaust gases will be recycled. It is desirable to have an EGR valve with fast-acting capabilities, and it is also desirable to have the EGR valve take up as little space as possible. An exhaust gas recirculation valve is provided that includes an exhaust passage tube, a valve element pivotally mounted within the exhaust passage tube, a linear actuator; and a gear train. The gear train includes a rack gear operatively connected to the linear actuator, and at least one rotatable gear meshing with the rack gear and operatively connected to the valve element to cause rotation of the valve element upon actuation of the linear actuator. The apparatus provides a highly compact package having a high-speed valve actuation capability.

  13. A new one-step procedure for pulmonary valve implantation of the melody valve: Simultaneous prestenting and valve implantation.

    PubMed

    Boudjemline, Younes

    2018-01-01

    To describe a new modification, the one-step procedure, that allows interventionists to pre-stent and implant a Melody valve simultaneously. Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) is the standard of care for managing patients with dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract, and the approach is standardized. Patients undergoing PPVI using the one-step procedure were identified in our database. Procedural data and radiation exposure were compared to those in a matched group of patients who underwent PPVI using the conventional two-step procedure. Between January 2016 and January 2017, PPVI was performed in 27 patients (median age/range, 19.1/10-55 years) using the one-step procedure involving manual crimping of one to three bare metal stents over the Melody valve. The stent and Melody valve were delivered successfully using the Ensemble delivery system. No complications occurred. All patients had excellent hemodynamic results (median/range post-PPVI right ventricular to pulmonary artery gradient, 9/0-20 mmHg). Valve function was excellent. Median procedural and fluoroscopic times were 56 and 10.2 min, respectively, which significantly differed from those of the two-step procedure group. Similarly, the dose area product (DAP), and radiation time were statistically lower in the one-step group than in the two-step group (P < 0.001 for all variables). After a median follow-up of 8 months (range, 3-14.7), no patient underwent reintervention, and no device dysfunction was observed. The one-step procedure is a safe modification that allows interventionists to prestent and implants the Melody valve simultaneously. It significantly reduces procedural and fluoroscopic times, and radiation exposure. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Prosthetic Aortic Valve Fixation Study: 48 Replacement Valves Analyzed Using Digital Pressure Mapping.

    PubMed

    Lee, Candice Y; Wong, Joshua K; Ross, Ronald E; Liu, David C; Khabbaz, Kamal R; Martellaro, Angelo J; Gorea, Heather R; Sauer, Jude S; Knight, Peter A

    Prostheses attachment is critical in aortic valve replacement surgery, yet reliable prosthetic security remains a challenge. Accurate techniques to analyze prosthetic fixation pressures may enable the use of fewer sutures while reducing the risk of paravalvular leaks (PVL). Customized digital thin film pressure transducers were sutured between aortic annulus models and 21-mm bioprosthetic valves with 15 × 4-mm, 12 × 4-mm, or 9 × 6-mm-wide pledgeted mattress sutures. Simulating open and minimally invasive access, 4 surgeons, blinded to data acquisition, each secured 12 valves using manual knot-tying (hand-tied [HT] or knot-pusher [KP]) or automated titanium fasteners (TFs). Real-time pressure measurements and times were recorded. Two-dimensional (2D) and 3D pressure maps were generated for all valves. Pressures less than 80 mm Hg were considered at risk for PVL. Pressures under each knot (intrasuture) fell less than 80 mm Hg for 12 of 144 manual knots (5/144 HT, 7/144 KP) versus 0 of 288 TF (P < 0.001). Pressures outside adjacent sutures (extrasuture) were less than 80 mm Hg in 10 of 60 HT, zero of 60 KP, and zero of 120 TF sites for 15 × 4-mm valves; 17 of 48 HT, 25 of 48 KP, and 12 of 96 TF for 12 × 4-mm valves; and 15 of 36 HT, 17 of 36 KP, and 9 and 72 TF for 9 × 6-mm valves; P < 0.001 all manual versus TF. Annular areas with pressures less than 80 mm Hg ranged from 0% of the sewing-ring area (all open TF) to 31% (12 × 4 mm, KP). The average time per manual knot, 46 seconds (HT, 31 seconds; KP, 61 seconds), was greater than TF, 14 seconds (P < 0.005). Reduced operative times and PVL risk would fortify the advantages of surgical aortic valve replacement. This research encourages continued exploration of technical factors in optimizing prosthetic valve security.

  15. Stress processes in HIV-positive African American mothers: Moderating effects of drug abuse history

    PubMed Central

    BURNS, MYRON J.; FEASTER, DANIEL J.; MITRANI, VICTORIA B.; OW, CHRISTINA; SZAPOCZNIK, JOSÉ

    2008-01-01

    This study examined the mechanism by which stressors, dissatisfaction with family, perceived control, social support, and coping were related to psychological distress in a sample of HIV-positive African American mothers. Additional analyses explored whether women who had a history of a drug abuse or dependence diagnosis differed either on levels of the study variables or the model pathways. The results indicated that HIV-positive African American mothers who had higher levels of stressors perceived their stressors as a whole to be less controllable. Coping resources, available social support and perceived control, were positively associated with active coping and negatively associated with psychological distress. Avoidant coping was the most important predictor of psychological distress. Furthermore, the effect of avoidant coping on psychological distress was stronger for mothers with a history of drug diagnosis. The implications of these findings for targeting interventions are discussed. PMID:18027126

  16. Rates of sexual history taking and screening in HIV-positive men who have sex with men.

    PubMed

    MacRae, Alasdair; Lord, Emily; Forsythe, Annabel; Sherrard, Jackie

    2017-03-01

    A case note audit was undertaken of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) to ascertain whether national guidelines for taking sexual histories, including recreational drug use and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening were being met. The notes of 142 HIV-positive men seen in 2015 were available, of whom 85 were MSM. Information was collected regarding sexual history, recreational drug use documentation, sexually transmitted infection screen offer and test results. Seventy-seven (91%) of the MSM had a sexual history documented, of whom 60 (78%) were sexually active. STI screens were offered to 58/60 (97%) of those who were sexually active and accepted by 53 (91%). Twelve (23%) of these had an STI. A recreational drug history was taken in 63 (74%) with 17 (27%) reporting use and 3 (5%) chemsex. The high rate of STIs highlights that regular screening in this group is essential. Additionally, the fact that over a quarter reported recreational drug use and given the increasing concern around chemsex, questions about this should be incorporated into the sexual history proforma.

  17. FLUID PRESSURE AND CAM OPERATED VACUUM VALVE

    DOEpatents

    Batzer, T.H.

    1963-11-26

    An ultra-high vacuum valve that is bakable, reusable, and capable of being quickly opened and closed is described. A translationally movable valve gate having an annular ridge is adapted to contact an annular soft metal gasket disposed at the valve seat such that the soft metal gasket extends beyond the annular ridge on all sides. The valve gate is closed, by first laterally aligning the valve gate with the valve seat and then bringing the valve gate and valve seat into seating contact by the translational movement of a ramp-like wedging means that engages similar ramp-like stractures at the base of the valve gate to force the valve gate into essentially pressureless contact with the annular soft metal gasket. This gasket is then pressurized from beneath by a fluid thereby effecting a vacuura tight seal between the gasket and the ridge. (AEC)

  18. Hypovolemia induced systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve in two dogs.

    PubMed

    Hammes, K; Novo Matos, J; Baron Toaldo, M; Glaus, T

    2016-12-01

    Systolic anterior (septal) motion of the mitral valve (SAM) is a common secondary phenomenon in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in people and cats. In humans, it is increasingly recognized that SAM may be found in other cardiac and non-cardiac disease states. In small animal cardiology, SAM unassociated with HCM has been described in dogs with mitral valve dysplasia and right ventricular pressure overload. In this report, we describe two cases of dogs where transient SAM was caused by hypovolemia. When SAM was present both dogs showed pseudohypertrophy and tachycardia. Important factors in the genesis of SAM in this scenario are probably hypovolemia induced changes in left ventricular geometry affecting the orientation of the mitral valve apparatus combined with elevated catecholamine levels. SAM associated with increased wall thickness is not pathognomonic of HCM; this observation is of particular clinical importance when extrapolated to species where HCM is highly prevalent, e.g., cats. An echocardiographic diagnosis should always be evaluated together with full clinical assessment of history and physical examination. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  19. How Heart Valves Evolve to Adapt to an Extreme-Pressure System: Morphologic and Biomechanical Properties of Giraffe Heart Valves.

    PubMed

    Amstrup Funder, Jonas; Christian Danielsen, Carl; Baandrup, Ulrik; Martin Bibby, Bo; Carl Andelius, Ted; Toft Brøndum, Emil; Wang, Tobias; Michael Hasenkam, J

    2017-01-01

    Heart valves which exist naturally in an extreme-pressure system must have evolved in a way to resist the stresses of high pressure. Giraffes are interesting as they naturally have a blood pressure twice that of humans. Thus, knowledge regarding giraffe heart valves may aid in developing techniques to design improved pressure-resistant biological heart valves. Heart valves from 12 giraffes and 10 calves were explanted and subjected to either biomechanical or morphological examinations. Strips from the heart valves were subjected to cyclic loading tests, followed by failure tests. Thickness measurements and analyses of elastin and collagen content were also made. Valve specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, elastic van Gieson stain, Masson's trichrome and Fraser-Lendrum stain, as well as immunohistochemical reactions for morphological examinations. The aortic valve was shown to be 70% (95% CI 42-103%) stronger in the giraffe than in its bovine counterpart (p <0.001). No significant difference was found between mitral or pulmonary valves. After normalization for collagen, no significant differences were found in strength between species. The giraffe aortic valve was found to be significantly stiffer than the bovine aortic valve (p <0.001), with no significant difference between mitral and pulmonary valves. On a dry weight basis, the aortic (10.9%), pulmonary (4.3%), and mitral valves (9.6%) of giraffes contained significantly more collagen than those of calves. The elastin contents of the pulmonary valves (2.5%) and aortic valves (1.5%) were also higher in giraffes. The greater strength of the giraffe aortic valve is most likely due to a compact collagen construction. Both, collagen and elastin contents were higher in giraffes than in calves, which would make giraffe valves more resistant to the high-pressure forces. However, collagen also stiffens and thickens the valves. The mitral leaflets showed similar (but mostly insignificant) trends in strength

  20. Cavitation guide for control valves

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tullis, J.P.

    1993-04-01

    This guide teaches the basic fundamentals of cavitation to provide the reader with an understanding of what causes cavitation, when it occurs, and the potential problems cavitation can cause to a valve and piping system. The document provides guidelines for understanding how to reduce the cavitation and/or select control valves for a cavitating system. The guide provides a method for predicting the cavitation intensity of control valves, and how the effect of cavitation on a system will vary with valve type, valve function, valve size, operating pressure, duration of operation and details of the piping installation. The guide defines sixmore » cavitation limits identifying cavitation intensities ranging from inception to the maximum intensity possible. The intensity of the cavitation at each limit Is described, including a brief discussion of how each level of cavitation influences the valve and system. Examples are included to demonstrate how to apply the method, including making both size and pressure scale effects corrections. Methods of controlling cavitation are discussed providing information on various techniques which can be used to design a new system or modify an existing one so it can operate at a desired level of cavitation.« less

  1. Apparatus and method for non-invasive diagnosis and control of motor operated valve condition

    DOEpatents

    Lyon, R.H.; Chai, J.; Lang, J.H.; Hagman, W.H.; Umans, S.D.; Saarela, O.J.

    1997-01-14

    An apparatus compares the torque from an MOV motor with the valve displacement, and from the comparison assesses MOV operating condition. A transducer measures the vibration of the housing of an MOV. The vibrations are due to the motions of the rotating elements within the housing, which motions are directly related to the motion of the valve relative to its seat. Signal processing apparatus analyzes the vibrations to recover the rotations of the rotating elements and thus the motion of the valve plug. Lost motion can also be determined (if a lost motion connection exists) by demodulating the vibration signal and thus taking into account also the lost motion. Simultaneously, the forces applied to the valve are estimated by estimating the torque between the stator and the rotor of the motor. Such torque can be estimated from measuring the input current and voltage alone, using a forgetting factor and a correction for the forgetting factor. A signature derived from relating the torque to the valve position can be used to assess the condition of the MOV, by comparing the signature to signatures for MOVs of known conditions. The vibration analysis components generate signals that relate to the position of elements in the operator. Similarly, the torque estimator estimates the torque output by any type of electric motor, whether or not part of an MOV analysis unit. 28 figs.

  2. Apparatus and method for non-invasive diagnosis and control of motor operated valve condition

    DOEpatents

    Lyon, Richard H.; Chai, Jangbom; Lang, Jeffrey H.; Hagman, Wayne H.; Umans, Stephen D.; Saarela, Olli J.

    1997-01-01

    An apparatus compares the torque from an MOV motor with the valve displacement, and from the comparison assesses MOV operating condition. A transducer measures the vibration of the housing of an MOV. The vibrations are due to the motions of the rotating elements within the housing, which motions are directly related to the motion of the valve relative to its seat. Signal processing apparatus analyzes the vibrations to recover the rotations of the rotating elements and thus the motion of the valve plug. Lost motion can also be determined (if a lost motion connection exists) by demodulating the vibration signal and thus taking into account also the lost motion. Simultaneously, the forces applied to the valve are estimated by estimating the torque between the stator and the rotor of the motor. Such torque can be estimated from measuring the input current and voltage alone, using a forgetting factor and a correction for the forgetting factor. A signature derived from relating the torque to the valve position can be used to assess the condition of the MOV, by comparing the signature to signatures for MOVs of known conditions. The vibration analysis components generate signals that relate to the position of elements in the operator. Similarly, the torque estimator estimates the torque output by any type of electric motor, whether or not part of an MOV analysis unit.

  3. Bistable flow occurrence in the 2D model of a steam turbine valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pavel, Procházka; Václav, Uruba

    2017-09-01

    The internal flow inside a steam turbine valve was investigated experimentally using PIV measurement. The valve model was proposed to be two-dimensional. The model was connected to the blow-down wind tunnel. The flow conditions were set by the different position of the valve plug. Several angles of the diffuser by diverse radii were investigated concerning flow separation and flow dynamics. It was found that the flow takes one of two possible bistable modes. The first regime is characterized by a massive flow separation just at the beginning of the diffuser section on the one side. The second regime is axisymmetric and the flow separation is not detected at all.

  4. Loss of Axin2 results in impaired heart valve maturation and subsequent myxomatous valve disease.

    PubMed

    Hulin, Alexia; Moore, Vicky; James, Jeanne M; Yutzey, Katherine E

    2017-01-01

    Myxomatous valve disease (MVD) is the most common aetiology of primary mitral regurgitation. Recent studies suggest that defects in heart valve development can lead to heart valve disease in adults. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is active during heart valve development and has been reported in human MVD. The consequences of increased Wnt/β-catenin signalling due to Axin2 deficiency in postnatal valve remodelling and pathogenesis of MVD were determined. To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, we analysed heart valves from mice deficient in Axin2 (KO), a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Axin2 KO mice display enlarged mitral and aortic valves (AoV) after birth with increased Wnt/β-catenin signalling and cell proliferation, whereas Sox9 expression and collagen deposition are decreased. At 2 months in Axin2 KO mice, the valve extracellular matrix (ECM) is stratified but distal AoV leaflets remain thickened and develop aortic insufficiency. Progressive myxomatous degeneration is apparent at 4 months with extensive ECM remodelling and focal aggrecan-rich areas, along with increased BMP signalling. Infiltration of inflammatory cells is also observed in Axin2 KO AoV prior to ECM remodelling. Overall, these features are consistent with the progression of human MVD. Finally, Axin2 expression is decreased and Wnt/β-catenin signalling is increased in myxomatous mitral valves in a murine model of Marfan syndrome, supporting the importance of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the development of MVD. Altogether, these data indicate that Axin2 limits Wnt/β-catenin signalling after birth and allows proper heart valve maturation. Moreover, dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling resulting from loss of Axin2 leads to progressive MVD. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2016. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  5. Robotic artificial chordal replacement for repair of mitral valve prolapse.

    PubMed

    Brunsting, Louis A; Rankin, J Scott; Braly, Kimberly C; Binford, Robert S

    2009-07-01

    Artificial chordal replacement (ACR) has emerged as a superior method of mitral valve repair with excellent early and late efficacy. It is also ideal to combine with robotic techniques for correction of mitral prolapse, and this article presents a current method of robotic Gore-Tex ACR. Patients with isolated posterior leaflet prolapse are approached with the fourth-generation DaVinci robotic system and endoaortic balloon occlusion. A pledgetted anchor stitch is placed in a papillary muscle, and a 2-o Gore-Tex suture is passed through the anchor pledget. After full annuloplasty ring placement, the Gore-Tex suture is woven into the prolapsing segment and positioned temporarily with robotic forceps. Chordal length is then "adjusted" by lengthening or shortening the temporary knot over 1-cm increments as the valve is tested by injection of cold saline into the ventricle. After achieving good leaflet position and valve competence, the chord is tied permanently. The "adjustable" ACR procedure preserves leaflet surface area and produces a competent valve in the majority of patients. Postoperative transesophageal echo shows a large surface area of coaptation. Patient recovery is facilitated by the minimally invasive approach, while long-term stability of similar open ACR techniques have been excellent with a 2% to 3% failure rate over 10 years of follow-up. Robotic Gore-Tex ACR without leaflet resection is a reproducible procedure that simplifies mitral repair for prolapse. The outcomes observed in early robotic applications have been excellent. It is suggested that most patients with simple prolapse might validly be approached in this manner.

  6. Factors Contributing to Pilot Valve Fuel Seal Extrusion in Orbiter PRCS Thrusters

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Waller, J.M.; Saulsberry, R.L.; Albright, John D.

    2000-01-01

    Extrusion of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) pilot seal used in the monomethylhydrazine (fuel) valve of the Orbiter Primary Reaction Control System (PRCS) thrusters has been implicated in numerous on-orbit thruster failures and on-ground valve failures. Two extrusion mechanisms have been proposed, one or both may be occurring. The first mechanism is attributed to thermal expansion mismatch between adjacent PTFE and metal parts used in the fuel valve, and is referred to as thermal extrusion. The second mechanism is attributed to nitrogen tetroxide (oxidizer) leakage from the adjacent oxidizer valve on the same thruster during ground turnaround, and is referred to as oxidizer-induced extrusion. Model calculations of PTFE pilot seal in an exact pilot valve configuration show that extrusion can be caused by differential thermal expansion, without the intervening influence of oxidizer. Experimental data on semitrapped PTFE and TFM (modified PTFE) specimens simulating a fuel pilot valve configuration show that thermal extrusion 1) is incremental and irreversible, 2) increases with the size of the thermal excursion, 3) decreases with successive thermal cycling, and 4) is accompanied by gap formation. Both PTFE and TFM exhibit a higher affinity for oxidizer than fuel. The property changes associated with oxidizer uptake may explain why oxidizer seals do not exhibit extrusion. Impression replicas of fuel pilot seals removed from the Orbiter fleet show two types of extrusion: extrusion of the entire seal (loaded extrusion), or extrusion of non-sealing surface (unloaded extrusion). Both extrusion types may arise from differences in service history, rather than in failure mechanism. The plausibility oxidizer-induced extrusion was evaluated. Preliminary calculations suggest that enough energy, heat, or gas may be liberated under certain operational scenarios to cause catastrophic extrusion. However, given the lack of supporting data, conclusions implicating oxidizer leakage

  7. Quartz ball valve

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goetz, C.; Ingle, W. M. (Inventor)

    1980-01-01

    A ball valve particularly suited for use in the handling of highly corrosive fluids is described. It is characterized by a valve housing formed of communicating segments of quartz tubing, a pair of communicating sockets disposed in coaxial alignment with selected segments of tubing for establishing a pair of inlet ports communicating with a common outlet port, a ball formed of quartz material supported for displacement between the sockets and configured to be received alternately thereby, and a valve actuator including a rod attached to the ball for selectively displacing the ball relative to each of the sockets for controlling fluid flow through the inlet ports.

  8. Double-reed exhaust valve engine

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bennett, Charles L.

    An engine based on a reciprocating piston engine that extracts work from pressurized working fluid. The engine includes a double reed outlet valve for controlling the flow of low-pressure working fluid out of the engine. The double reed provides a stronger force resisting closure of the outlet valve than the force tending to open the outlet valve. The double reed valve enables engine operation at relatively higher torque and lower efficiency at low speed, with lower torque, but higher efficiency at high speed.

  9. Training effect in specular spin valves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ventura, J.; Araujo, J. P.; Sousa, J. B.; Veloso, A.; Freitas, P. P.

    2008-05-01

    Specular spin valves show an enhanced giant magnetoresistive (GMR) ratio due to specular reflection in nano-oxide layers (NOLs) formed by the partial oxidation of CoFe pinned and free layers. The oxides that form the (pinned layer) NOL were recently shown to antiferromagnetically order at Ttilde 175K . Here, we study the training effect (TE) in MnIr/CoFe/NOL/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/NOL/Ta specular spin valves in the 300-15 K temperature range. The exchange bias direction between the MnIr and CoFe layers impressed during annealing is taken as the positive direction. The training effect is observed in antiferromagnetic (AFM)/ferromagnetic (FM) exchange systems and related to the rearrangement of interfacial AFM spin structure with the number of hysteretic cycles performed (n) , resulting in the decrease of the exchange field (Hexch) . Here, in the studied specular spin valve, TE was only observed for T<175K and is thus related to the pinned layer NOL-AFM ordering and to the evolution of the corresponding spin structure with n . We show that FM spins that are strongly coupled to AFM domains do not align with the applied positive magnetic field (H) , giving rise to a residual MR at H≫0 . Such nonsaturating MR will be related with a spin-glass-like behavior of the interfacial magnetism induced by the nano-oxide layer. The observed dependence of the training effect on the field cooling procedure is also likely associated with the existence of different spin configurations available in the magnetically disordered oxide. Furthermore, anomalous magnetoresistance cycles measured after cooling runs under -500Oe are here related to induced NOL exchange bias/applied magnetic field misalignment. The temperature dependence of the training effect was obtained and fitted by using a recent theoretical model.

  10. Miniature piezo electric vacuum inlet valve

    DOEpatents

    Keville, Robert F.; Dietrich, Daniel D.

    1998-03-24

    A miniature piezo electric vacuum inlet valve having a fast pulse rate and is battery operated with variable flow capability. The low power (<1.6 watts), high pulse rate (<2 milliseconds), variable flow inlet valve is utilized for mass spectroscopic applications or other applications where pulsed or continuous flow conditions are needed. The inlet valve also has a very minimal dead volume of less than 0.01 std/cc. The valve can utilize, for example, a 12 Vdc input/750 Vdc, 3 mA output power supply compared to conventional piezo electric valves which require preloading of the crystal drive mechanism and 120 Vac, thus the valve of the present invention is smaller by a factor of three.

  11. Early and mid-term results of autograft rescue by Ross reversal: A one-valve disease need not become a two-valve disease.

    PubMed

    Hussain, Syed T; Majdalany, David S; Dunn, Aaron; Stewart, Robert D; Najm, Hani K; Svensson, Lars G; Houghtaling, Penny L; Blackstone, Eugene H; Pettersson, Gösta B

    2018-02-01

    Risk of reoperation and loss of a second native valve are major drawbacks of the Ross operation. Rather than discarding the failed autograft, it can be placed back into the native pulmonary position by "Ross reversal." We review our early and mid-term results with this operation. From 2006 to 2017, 39 patients underwent reoperation for autograft dysfunction. The autograft was successfully rescued in 35 patients: by Ross reversal in 30, David procedure in 4, and autograft repair in 1. Medical records were reviewed for patient characteristics (mean age was 46 ± 13 years, range 18-67 years, and 23 were male), previous operations, indications for reoperation, hospital outcomes, and echocardiographic findings for the 30 patients undergoing successful Ross reversal. Follow-up was 4.1 ± 3.5 years (range 7 months-11 years). Median interval between the original Ross procedure and Ross reversal was 12 years (range 5-19 years). Eight patients also had absolute indications for replacement of the pulmonary allograft. There was no operative mortality. One patient required reoperation for bleeding. Another had an abdominal aorta injury from use of an endoballoon clamp. There was no other major postoperative morbidity, and median postoperative hospital stay was 7.2 days (range 4-41 days). No patient required reoperation during follow-up. Twenty-four patients had acceptable pulmonary valve function, and 6 had clinically well-tolerated moderate or severe pulmonary regurgitation. Ross reversal can be performed with low morbidity and acceptable pulmonary valve function, reducing patient risk of losing 2 native valves when the autograft fails in the aortic position. Copyright © 2017 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Effects of repetitive bending on the magnetoresistance of a flexible spin-valve

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kwon, J.-H.; Kwak, W.-Y.; Cho, B. K., E-mail: chobk@gist.ac.kr

    2015-05-07

    A positive magnetostrictive single layer (CoFe) and top-pinned spin-valve structure with positive magnetostrictive free (NiFe) and pinned (CoFe) layers were deposited on flexible polyethylene terephthalate film to investigate the changes in the magnetic properties in flexible environments, especially with a repetitive bending process. It was found that the stress, applied by repetitive bending, changes significantly the magnetic anisotropy of both layers in a single and spin-valve structure depending on the direction of applied stress. The changes in magnetic anisotropy were understood in terms of the inverse magnetostriction effect (the Villari effect) and the elastic recovery force from the flexibility ofmore » the polymer substrate. Repetitive bending with tensile stress transverse (or parallel) to the magnetic easy axis was found to enhance (or reduce) the magnetic anisotropy and, consequently, the magnetoresistance ratio of a spin-valve. The observed effects of bending stress in this study should be considered for the practical applications of electro-magnetic devices, especially magneto-striction sensor.« less

  13. Overdrainage and shunt technology. A critical comparison of programmable, hydrostatic and variable-resistance valves and flow-reducing devices.

    PubMed

    Aschoff, A; Kremer, P; Benesch, C; Fruh, K; Klank, A; Kunze, S

    1995-04-01

    When vertical body position is simulated, conventional differential pressure valves show an absolutely unphysiological flow, which is 2-170 times the normal liquor production rate. Although this is compensated in part by the resistance of the silicon tubes, which may produce up to 94% of the resistance of the complete shunt system, a negative intracranial pressure (ICP) of up to 30-44 cmH2O is an unavoidable consequence, which can be followed by subdural hematomas, slit ventricles, and other well-known complications. Modern shunt technology offers programmable, hydrostatic, and "flow-controlled" valves and anti-siphon devices; we have tested 13 different designs from 7 manufacturers (56 specimens), using the "Heidelberg Valve Test Inventory" with 16 subtests. "Programmable" valves reduce, but cannot exclude, unphysiological flow rates: even in the highest position and in combination with a standard catheter typical programmable Medos-Hakim valves allow a flow of 93-232 ml/h, Sophy SU-8-valves 86-168 ml/h with 30 cmH2O. The effect of hydrostatic valves (Hakim-Lumbar, Chhabra) can be inactivated by movements of daily life. The weight of the metal balls in most valves was too low for adequate flow reduction. Antisiphon devices are highly dependent on external, i.e. subcutaneous, pressure which has unpredictable influences on shunt function, and clinically is sometimes followed by shunt insufficiency. Two new Orbis-Sigma valves showed relatively physiological flow rates even when the vertical position (30 cmH2O) was simulated. One showed an insufficient flow (5.7 ml/h), and one was primarily obstructed. These have by far the smallest outlet of all valves. Additionally, the ruby pin tends to stick. Therefore, a high susceptibility to obliterations and blockade is unavoidable. Encouraging results obtained in pediatric patients contrast with disappointing experiences in some German and Swedish hospitals, which suggests that our laboratory findings are confirmed by

  14. Triple valve surgery: a 25-year experience.

    PubMed

    Yilmaz, Mustafa; Ozkan, Murat; Böke, Erkmen

    2004-09-01

    Surgical treatment of rheumatic valvular disease still constitutes a significant number of cardiac operations in developing countries. Despite improvements in myocardial protection and cardiopulmonary bypass techniques, triple valve operations (aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves) are still challenging because of longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and higher degree of myocardial decompensation. This study was instituted in order to assess results of triple valve surgery. Between 1977 and 2002, 34 patients underwent triple valve surgery in our clinic by the same surgeon (EB). Eleven patients underwent triple valve replacement (32.4%) and 23 underwent tricuspid valve annuloplasty with aortic and mitral valve replacements (67.6%). There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients who underwent triple valve replacement and aortic and mitral valve replacement with tricuspid valve annuloplasty. There were 4 hospital deaths (11.8%) occurring within 30 days. The duration of follow-up for 30 survivors ranged from 6 to 202 months (mean 97 months). The actuarial survival rates were 85%, 72%, and 48% at 5, 10, and 15 years respectively. Actuarial freedom from reoperation rates at 5, 10, and 15 years was 86.3%, 71.9%, and 51.2%, respectively. Freedom from cerebral thromboembolism and anticoagulation-related hemorrhage rates, expressed in actuarial terms was 75.9% and 62.9% at 5 and 10 years. Major cerebral complications occurred in 10 of the 30 patients. We prefer replacing, if repairing is not possible, the tricuspid valve, with a bileaflet mechanical prosthesis in a patient with valve replacement of the left heart who will be anticoagulated in order to avoid unfavorable properties of bioprosthesis like degeneration and of old generation mechanical prosthesis like thrombosis and poor hemodynamic function. In recent years, results of triple valve surgery either with tricuspid valve conservation or valve replacement in suitable cases have become

  15. Tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular function after mitral valve surgery with or without concomitant tricuspid valve procedure

    PubMed Central

    Desai, Ravi R.; Vargas Abello, Lina Maria; Klein, Allan L.; Marwick, Thomas H.; Krasuski, Richard A.; Ye, Ying; Nowicki, Edward R.; Rajeswaran, Jeevanantham; Blackstone, Eugene H.; Pettersson, Gösta B.

    2014-01-01

    Objectives To study the effect of mitral valve repair with or without concomitant tricuspid valve repair on functional tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular function. Methods From 2001 to 2007, 1833 patients with degenerative mitral valve disease, a structurally normal tricuspid valve, and no coronary artery disease underwent mitral valve repair, and 67 underwent concomitant tricuspid valve repair. Right ventricular function (myocardial performance index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) was measured before and after surgery using transthoracic echocardiography for randomly selected patients with tricuspid regurgitation grade 0, 1+, and 2+(100 patients for each grade) and 93 with grade 3+/4+, 393 patients in total. Results In patients with mild (<3+) preoperative tricuspid regurgitation, mitral valve repair alone was associated with reduced tricuspid regurgitation and mild worsening of right ventricular function. Tricuspid regurgitation of 2+or greater developed in fewer than 20%, and right ventricular function had improved, but not to preoperative levels, at 3 years. In patients with severe (3+/4+) preoperative tricuspid regurgitation, mitral valve repair alone reduced tricuspid regurgitation and improved right ventricular function; however, tricuspid regurgitation of 2+ or greater returned and right ventricular function worsened toward preoperative levels within 3 years. Concomitant tricuspid valve repair effectively eliminated severe tricuspid regurgitation and improved right ventricular function. Also, over time, tricuspid regurgitation did not return and right ventricular function continued to improve to levels comparable to that of patients with lower grades of preoperative tricuspid regurgitation. Conclusions In patients with mitral valve disease and severe tricuspid regurgitation, mitral valve repair alone was associated with improved tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular function. However, the improvements were incomplete and

  16. Anticoagulation in Cardiobacterium hominis Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis in a Patient with Hypercoagulability: A Clinical Dilemma.

    PubMed

    Mamdani, Natasha; Shah, Jatan; Simms, Michael

    2017-02-01

    Cardiobacterium hominis is an uncommon cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and often presents insidiously. In comparison, prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a rare, but life-threatening condition that commonly occurs due to inadequate anticoagulation. Anticoagulation is relatively contraindicated in patients with endocarditis as it may prove to be lethal due to increased risk of cerebral hemorrhage. However, anticoagulation is required in patients with PVT, or for its prevention. We present a case of a 35-year-old male with a history of hypercoagulability and St. Jude's aortic valve on warfarin, who presented with chest pain andwas found to have a mass on the aorticvalve, with blood cultures revealing C. hominis.The patient was treated with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation was continued. No neurological complications were noted during the treatment period. This case demonstrates that carefully weighing the risks and benefits of continuing anticoagulation is essential in preventing poor outcomes.

  17. Atomic engineering of spin valves using Ag as a surfactant

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, David X.; Shashishekar, B.; Chopra, Harsh Deep; Chen, P. J.; Egelhoff, W. F.

    2001-06-01

    In this study, dc magnetron sputtered NiO (50 nm)/Co (2.5 nm)/Cu(1.5 nm)/Co (3.0 nm) bottom spin valves were studied with and without Ag as a surfactant. At Cu spacer thickness of 1.5 nm, a strong positive coupling >13.92 kA/m (>175 Oe) between NiO-pinned and "free" Co layers leads to a negligible giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect (<0.7%) in Ag-free samples. In contrast, spin valves deposited in the presence of ≈1 monolayer of surfactant Ag have sufficiently reduced coupling, 5.65 kA/m (71 Oe), which results in an order of magnitude increase in GMR (8.5%). Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the large positive coupling in Ag-free samples could directly be attributed to the presence of numerous pinholes. In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that, in Ag-containing samples, the large mobile Ag atoms float out to the surface during successive growth of Co and Cu layers. Detailed TEM studies show that surfactant Ag leaves behind smoother interfaces less prone to pinholes. The use of surfactants also illustrates their efficacy in favorably altering the magnetic characteristics of GMR spin valves, and their potential use in other magnetoelectronics devices and multilayer systems.

  18. [Transcatheter aortic valve replacement].

    PubMed

    Sawa, Yoshiki

    2014-07-01

    While transcatheter aortic valve replacement( TAVR) has spread rapidly all over the world for highrisk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), SAPIEN XT was approved in Japan in October 2013. Since that, approximately 400 TAVR cases were performed in Japan. In our institute, we have performed 164 cases since first case in Japan in 2009 and have achieved satisfactory early results(30-day mortality:1.2%). At the same time, however, simultaneously various TAVR-related complications including a paravalvular leak, stroke, vascular complications, and coronary obstruction were observed. A reduction in the incidence and severity of these complications had led technical improvements in various new devices(2nd generation TAVR device such as the SAPIEN 3, ACURATE, and JenaValve) and in implantation techniques including repositioning/recapturing features, paravalvular sealing technologies, and prevention of coronary obstruction. Furthermore, there is also increasing experience with special indications for TAVR such as pure aortic valve insufficiency or valve-in-valve techniques. Currently, an increasing number of publications of midterm results demonstrate good prosthetic valve function and durability, with good quality of life and low morbidity after TAVR. There are also some randomized trials such as PARTNER 2 or SURTAVI to investigate potential benefits of TAVR for intermediate-risk patients. These improvements in the TAVR devices promises the expansion of TAVR towards the treatment of lower-risk patients in the near future.

  19. Improved solenoid valve design

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Evans, J.

    1969-01-01

    Modified solenoid valve reduces valve seat loading by eliminating off-center operation of the armature, reducing the poppet size and spring-cushioning its impact, and reducing armature impact with a poppet guide stop.

  20. Miniature piezo electric vacuum inlet valve

    DOEpatents

    Keville, R.F.; Dietrich, D.D.

    1998-03-24

    A miniature piezo electric vacuum inlet valve having a fast pulse rate and is battery operated with variable flow capability is disclosed. The low power (<1.6 watts), high pulse rate (<2 milliseconds), variable flow inlet valve is utilized for mass spectroscopic applications or other applications where pulsed or continuous flow conditions are needed. The inlet valve also has a very minimal dead volume of less than 0.01 std/cc. The valve can utilize, for example, a 12 Vdc input/750 Vdc, 3 mA output power supply compared to conventional piezo electric valves which require preloading of the crystal drive mechanism and 120 Vac, thus the valve of the present invention is smaller by a factor of three. 6 figs.

  1. Determination of oxidation state of iron in normal and pathologically altered human aortic valves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Czapla-Masztafiak, J.; Lis, G. J.; Gajda, M.; Jasek, E.; Czubek, U.; Bolechała, F.; Borca, C.; Kwiatek, W. M.

    2015-12-01

    In order to investigate changes in chemical state of iron in normal and pathologically altered human aortic valves X-ray absorption spectroscopy was applied. Since Fe is suspected to play detrimental role in aortic valve stenosis pathogenesis the oxidation state of this element has been determined. The experimental material consisted of 10 μm sections of valves excised during routine surgery and from autopsies. The experiment was performed at the MicroXAS beamline of the SLS synchrotron facility in Villigen (Switzerland). The Fe K-edge XANES spectra obtained from tissue samples were carefully analyzed and compared with the spectra of reference compounds containing iron in various chemical structures. The analysis of absorption edge position and shape of the spectra revealed that both chemical forms of iron are presented in valve tissue but Fe3+ is the predominant form. Small shift of the absorption edge toward higher energy in the spectra from stenotic valve samples indicates higher content of the Fe3+ form in pathological tissue. Such a phenomenon suggests the role of Fenton reaction and reactive oxygen species in the etiology of aortic valve stenosis. The comparison of pre-edge regions of XANES spectra for control and stenotic valve tissue confirmed no differences in local symmetry or spin state of iron in analyzed samples.

  2. A Parylene MEMS Electrothermal Valve

    PubMed Central

    Li, Po-Ying; Givrad, Tina K.; Holschneider, Daniel P.; Maarek, Jean-Michel I.; Meng, Ellis

    2011-01-01

    The first microelectromechanical-system normally closed electrothermal valve constructed using Parylene C is described, which enables both low power (in milliwatts) and rapid operation (in milliseconds). This low-power valve is well suited for applications in wirelessly controlled implantable drug-delivery systems. The simple design was analyzed using both theory and modeling and then characterized in benchtop experiments. Operation in air (constant current) and water (current ramping) was demonstrated. Valve-opening powers of 22 mW in air and 33 mW in water were obtained. Following integration of the valve with catheters, our valve was applied in a wirelessly operated microbolus infusion pump, and the in vivo functionality for the appropriateness of use of this pump for future brain mapping applications in small animals was demonstrated. PMID:21350679

  3. Fast image-based mitral valve simulation from individualized geometry.

    PubMed

    Villard, Pierre-Frederic; Hammer, Peter E; Perrin, Douglas P; Del Nido, Pedro J; Howe, Robert D

    2018-04-01

    Common surgical procedures on the mitral valve of the heart include modifications to the chordae tendineae. Such interventions are used when there is extensive leaflet prolapse caused by chordae rupture or elongation. Understanding the role of individual chordae tendineae before operating could be helpful to predict whether the mitral valve will be competent at peak systole. Biomechanical modelling and simulation can achieve this goal. We present a method to semi-automatically build a computational model of a mitral valve from micro CT (computed tomography) scans: after manually picking chordae fiducial points, the leaflets are segmented and the boundary conditions as well as the loading conditions are automatically defined. Fast finite element method (FEM) simulation is carried out using Simulation Open Framework Architecture (SOFA) to reproduce leaflet closure at peak systole. We develop three metrics to evaluate simulation results: (i) point-to-surface error with the ground truth reference extracted from the CT image, (ii) coaptation surface area of the leaflets and (iii) an indication of whether the simulated closed leaflets leak. We validate our method on three explanted porcine hearts and show that our model predicts the closed valve surface with point-to-surface error of approximately 1 mm, a reasonable coaptation surface area, and absence of any leak at peak systole (maximum closed pressure). We also evaluate the sensitivity of our model to changes in various parameters (tissue elasticity, mesh accuracy, and the transformation matrix used for CT scan registration). We also measure the influence of the positions of the chordae tendineae on simulation results and show that marginal chordae have a greater influence on the final shape than intermediate chordae. The mitral valve simulation can help the surgeon understand valve behaviour and anticipate the outcome of a procedure. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  4. Heart Valve Biomechanics and Underlying Mechanobiology

    PubMed Central

    Ayoub, Salma; Ferrari, Giovanni; Gorman, Robert C.; Gorman, Joseph H.; Schoen, Frederick J.; Sacks, Michael S.

    2017-01-01

    Heart valves control unidirectional blood flow within the heart during the cardiac cycle. They have a remarkable ability to withstand the demanding mechanical environment of the heart, achieving lifetime durability by processes involving the ongoing remodeling of the extracellular matrix. The focus of this review is on heart valve functional physiology, with insights into the link between disease-induced alterations in valve geometry, tissue stress, and the subsequent cell mechanobiological responses and tissue remodeling. We begin with an overview of the fundamentals of heart valve physiology and the characteristics and functions of valve interstitial cells (VICs). We then provide an overview of current experimental and computational approaches that connect VIC mechanobiological response to organ- and tissue-level deformations and improve our understanding of the underlying functional physiology of heart valves. We conclude with a summary of future trends and offer an outlook for the future of heart valve mechanobiology, specifically, multiscale modeling approaches, and the potential directions and possible challenges of research development. PMID:27783858

  5. Problem: Heart Valve Regurgitation

    MedlinePlus

    ... should be completely closed For example: Watch an animation of mitral valve regurgitation A leaking mitral valve ... Not Alone Popular Articles 1 Understanding Blood Pressure Readings 2 Sodium and Salt 3 Heart Attack Symptoms ...

  6. Problem: Mitral Valve Regurgitation

    MedlinePlus

    ... each time the left ventricle contracts. Watch an animation of mitral valve regurgitation A leaking mitral valve ... Not Alone Popular Articles 1 Understanding Blood Pressure Readings 2 Sodium and Salt 3 Heart Attack Symptoms ...

  7. Mitral valve surgery - open

    MedlinePlus

    ... place. There are two types of mitral valves: Mechanical, made of man-made (synthetic) materials, such as ... Mechanical heart valves last a lifetime. However, blood clots may develop on them. This can cause them ...

  8. Are anticoagulant independent mechanical valves within reach-fast prototype fabrication and in vitro testing of innovative bi-leaflet valve models.

    PubMed

    Scotten, Lawrence N; Siegel, Rolland

    2015-08-01

    Exploration for causes of prosthetic valve thrombogenicity has frequently focused on forward or post-closure flow detail. In prior laboratory studies, we uncovered high amplitude flow velocities of short duration close to valve closure implying potential for substantial shear stress with subsequent initiation of blood coagulation pathways. This may be relevant to widely accepted clinical disparity between mechanical and tissue valves vis-à-vis thrombogenicity. With a series of prototype bi-leaflet mechanical valves, we attempt reduction of closure related velocities with the objective of identifying a prototype valve with thrombogenic potential similar to our tissue valve control. This iterative design approach may find application in preclinical assessment of valves for anticoagulation independence. Tested valves included: prototype mechanical bi-leaflet BVs (n=56), controls (n=2) and patented early prototype mechanicals (n=2) from other investigators. Pulsatile and quasi-steady flow systems were used for testing. Projected dynamic valve area (PDVA) was measured using previously described novel technology. Flow velocity over the open and closing periods was determined by volumetric flow rate/PDVA. For the closed valve interval, use was made of data obtained from quasi-steady back pressure/flow tests. Performance was ranked by a proposed thrombogenicity potential index (TPI) relative to tissue and mechanical control valves. Optimization of the prototype valve designs lead to a 3-D printed model (BV3D). For the mitral/aortic site, BV3D has lower TPI (1.10/1.47) relative to the control mechanical valve (3.44/3.93) and similar to the control tissue valve (ideal TPI ≤1.0). Using unique technology, rapid prototyping and thrombogenicity ranking, optimization of experimental valves for reduced thrombogenic potential was expedited and simplified. Innovative mechanical valve configurations were identified that merit consideration for further development which may bring

  9. Are anticoagulant independent mechanical valves within reach—fast prototype fabrication and in vitro testing of innovative bi-leaflet valve models

    PubMed Central

    Siegel, Rolland

    2015-01-01

    Background Exploration for causes of prosthetic valve thrombogenicity has frequently focused on forward or post-closure flow detail. In prior laboratory studies, we uncovered high amplitude flow velocities of short duration close to valve closure implying potential for substantial shear stress with subsequent initiation of blood coagulation pathways. This may be relevant to widely accepted clinical disparity between mechanical and tissue valves vis-à-vis thrombogenicity. With a series of prototype bi-leaflet mechanical valves, we attempt reduction of closure related velocities with the objective of identifying a prototype valve with thrombogenic potential similar to our tissue valve control. This iterative design approach may find application in preclinical assessment of valves for anticoagulation independence. Methods Tested valves included: prototype mechanical bi-leaflet BVs (n=56), controls (n=2) and patented early prototype mechanicals (n=2) from other investigators. Pulsatile and quasi-steady flow systems were used for testing. Projected dynamic valve area (PDVA) was measured using previously described novel technology. Flow velocity over the open and closing periods was determined by volumetric flow rate/PDVA. For the closed valve interval, use was made of data obtained from quasi-steady back pressure/flow tests. Performance was ranked by a proposed thrombogenicity potential index (TPI) relative to tissue and mechanical control valves. Results Optimization of the prototype valve designs lead to a 3-D printed model (BV3D). For the mitral/aortic site, BV3D has lower TPI (1.10/1.47) relative to the control mechanical valve (3.44/3.93) and similar to the control tissue valve (ideal TPI ≤1.0). Conclusions Using unique technology, rapid prototyping and thrombogenicity ranking, optimization of experimental valves for reduced thrombogenic potential was expedited and simplified. Innovative mechanical valve configurations were identified that merit consideration

  10. Torque-actuated valves for microfluidics.

    PubMed

    Weibel, Douglas B; Kruithof, Maarten; Potenta, Scott; Sia, Samuel K; Lee, Andrew; Whitesides, George M

    2005-08-01

    This paper describes torque-actuated valves for controlling the flow of fluids in microfluidic channels. The valves consist of small machine screws (> or =500 microm) embedded in a layer of polyurethane cast above microfluidic channels fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The polyurethane is cured photochemically with the screws in place; on curing, it bonds to the surrounding layer of PDMS and forms a stiff layer that retains an impression of the threads of the screws. The valves were separated from the ceiling of microfluidic channels by a layer of PDMS and were integrated into channels using a simple procedure compatible with soft lithography and rapid prototyping. Turning the screws actuated the valves by collapsing the PDMS layer between the valve and channel, controlling the flow of fluids in the underlying channels. These valves have the useful characteristic that they do not require power to retain their setting (on/off). They also allow settings between "on" and "off" and can be integrated into portable, disposable microfluidic devices for carrying out sandwich immunoassays.

  11. Valve-spring Surge

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Marti, Willy

    1937-01-01

    Test equipment is described that includes a system of three quartz indicators whereby three different pressures could be synchronized and simultaneously recorded on a single oscillogram. This equipment was used to test the reliction of waves at ends of valve spring, the dynamical stress of the valve spring for a single lift of the valve, and measurement of the curve of the cam tested. Other tests included simultaneous recording of the stress at both ends of the spring, spring oscillation during a single lift as a function of speed, computation of amplitude of oscillation for a single lift by harmonic analysis, effect of cam profile, the setting up of resonance, and forced spring oscillation with damping.

  12. Towards real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance guided transarterial CoreValve implantation: in vivo evaluation in swine

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance (rtCMR) is considered attractive for guiding TAVI. Owing to an unlimited scan plane orientation and an unsurpassed soft-tissue contrast with simultaneous device visualization, rtCMR is presumed to allow safe device navigation and to offer optimal orientation for precise axial positioning. We sought to evaluate the preclinical feasibility of rtCMR-guided transarterial aortic valve implatation (TAVI) using the nitinol-based Medtronic CoreValve bioprosthesis. Methods rtCMR-guided transfemoral (n = 2) and transsubclavian (n = 6) TAVI was performed in 8 swine using the original CoreValve prosthesis and a modified, CMR-compatible delivery catheter without ferromagnetic components. Results rtCMR using TrueFISP sequences provided reliable imaging guidance during TAVI, which was successful in 6 swine. One transfemoral attempt failed due to unsuccessful aortic arch passage and one pericardial tamponade with subsequent death occurred as a result of ventricular perforation by the device tip due to an operating error, this complication being detected without delay by rtCMR. rtCMR allowed for a detailed, simultaneous visualization of the delivery system with the mounted stent-valve and the surrounding anatomy, resulting in improved visualization during navigation through the vasculature, passage of the aortic valve, and during placement and deployment of the stent-valve. Post-interventional success could be confirmed using ECG-triggered time-resolved cine-TrueFISP and flow-sensitive phase-contrast sequences. Intended valve position was confirmed by ex-vivo histology. Conclusions Our study shows that rtCMR-guided TAVI using the commercial CoreValve prosthesis in conjunction with a modified delivery system is feasible in swine, allowing improved procedural guidance including immediate detection of complications and direct functional assessment with reduction of radiation and omission of contrast media. PMID:22453050

  13. Towards real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance guided transarterial CoreValve implantation: in vivo evaluation in swine.

    PubMed

    Kahlert, Philipp; Parohl, Nina; Albert, Juliane; Schäfer, Lena; Reinhardt, Renate; Kaiser, Gernot M; McDougall, Ian; Decker, Brad; Plicht, Björn; Erbel, Raimund; Eggebrecht, Holger; Ladd, Mark E; Quick, Harald H

    2012-03-27

    Real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance (rtCMR) is considered attractive for guiding TAVI. Owing to an unlimited scan plane orientation and an unsurpassed soft-tissue contrast with simultaneous device visualization, rtCMR is presumed to allow safe device navigation and to offer optimal orientation for precise axial positioning. We sought to evaluate the preclinical feasibility of rtCMR-guided transarterial aortic valve implatation (TAVI) using the nitinol-based Medtronic CoreValve bioprosthesis. rtCMR-guided transfemoral (n = 2) and transsubclavian (n = 6) TAVI was performed in 8 swine using the original CoreValve prosthesis and a modified, CMR-compatible delivery catheter without ferromagnetic components. rtCMR using TrueFISP sequences provided reliable imaging guidance during TAVI, which was successful in 6 swine. One transfemoral attempt failed due to unsuccessful aortic arch passage and one pericardial tamponade with subsequent death occurred as a result of ventricular perforation by the device tip due to an operating error, this complication being detected without delay by rtCMR. rtCMR allowed for a detailed, simultaneous visualization of the delivery system with the mounted stent-valve and the surrounding anatomy, resulting in improved visualization during navigation through the vasculature, passage of the aortic valve, and during placement and deployment of the stent-valve. Post-interventional success could be confirmed using ECG-triggered time-resolved cine-TrueFISP and flow-sensitive phase-contrast sequences. Intended valve position was confirmed by ex-vivo histology. Our study shows that rtCMR-guided TAVI using the commercial CoreValve prosthesis in conjunction with a modified delivery system is feasible in swine, allowing improved procedural guidance including immediate detection of complications and direct functional assessment with reduction of radiation and omission of contrast media.

  14. THERMALLY OPERATED VAPOR VALVE

    DOEpatents

    Dorward, J.G. Jr.

    1959-02-10

    A valve is presented for use in a calutron to supply and control the vapor to be ionized. The invention provides a means readily operable from the exterior of the vacuum tank of the apparatuss without mechanical transmission of forces for the quick and accurate control of the ionizing arc by a corresponding control of gas flow theretos thereby producing an effective way of carefully regulating the operation of the calutron. The invention consists essentially of a tube member extending into the charge bottle of a calutron devices having a poppet type valve closing the lower end of the tube. An electrical heating means is provided in the valve stem to thermally vary the length of the stem to regulate the valve opening to control the flow of material from the charge bottle.

  15. Space Shuttle Main Propulsion System Gaseous Hydrogen Flow Control Valve Poppet Failure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zeitler, Rick

    2010-01-01

    The presentation provides background information pertinent to the MPS GH2 Flow Control Valve Poppet failure which occurred on the Space Shuttle Endeavour during STS-126 flight. The presentation provides general MPS system operating information which is pertinent to understanding the failure causes and affects. The presentation provides additional background information on the operating environment in which the FCV functions and basic design history of the flow control valve. The presentation provides an overview of the possible flight failure modes and a brief summary of the flight rationale which was developed for this failure event. This presentation is an introductory presentation to 3 other speakers at the conference who will be speaking on M&P aspects of the investigation, non destructive inspection techniques development, and particle impact testing.

  16. In-Graft Endovascular Stenting Repair for Supravalvular Stenosis From Aortic Rupture After Balloon-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

    PubMed

    Furukawa, Nobuyuki; Scholtz, Werner; Haas, Nikolaus; Ensminger, Stephan; Gummert, Jan; Börgermann, Jochen

    2015-01-01

    An 81-year-old man with high-grade aortic valve stenosis and status post-coronary artery bypass grafting and supracoronary replacement of the ascending aorta was referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. He was in New York Heart Association class III and had dyspnea. After appropriate screening, we implanted a 29-mm SAPIEN XT valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA USA) through a transapical approach because of severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Postinterventional aortography revealed correct positioning and function of the valve and free coronary ostia but contrast extravasation in the vicinity of the interposed vascular prosthesis, resulting in severe luminal narrowing. We chose to manage the stenosis with an endovascular stent. After stenting, extravascular compression was markedly reduced, and the pressure gradient disappeared. The patient was discharged home on the 20th postoperative day. Three months later, computed tomography depicted correct positioning of both grafts. The patient's general health is good, and he is now in New York Heart Association class II. This case illustrates a complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation specific for patients with an ascending aortic graft. Although stenting may be a good solution, as depicted by this case, self-expanding transcatheter aortic valves should be preferred in patients with ascending aortic grafts to avoid the described complication.

  17. 46 CFR 52.01-120 - Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). 52.01-120 Section 52.01-120 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS General Requirements § 52.01-120 Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). (a)...

  18. 46 CFR 52.01-120 - Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). 52.01-120 Section 52.01-120 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS General Requirements § 52.01-120 Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). (a)...

  19. 46 CFR 52.01-120 - Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). 52.01-120 Section 52.01-120 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS General Requirements § 52.01-120 Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). (a)...

  20. 46 CFR 52.01-120 - Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). 52.01-120 Section 52.01-120 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS General Requirements § 52.01-120 Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). (a)...

  1. 46 CFR 52.01-120 - Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 46 Shipping 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). 52.01-120 Section 52.01-120 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING POWER BOILERS General Requirements § 52.01-120 Safety valves and safety relief valves (modifies PG-67 through PG-73). (a)...

  2. Use of a Valved-Conduit for Exclusion of the Infected Portion in the Prosthetic Pulmonary Valve Endocarditis

    PubMed Central

    Jung, Joonho; Lee, Cheol Joo; Lim, Sang-Hyun; Choi, Ho; Park, Soo-Jin

    2013-01-01

    A 51-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with complaints of fever and hemoptysis. After evaluation of the fever focus, he was diagnosed with pulmonary valve infective endocarditis. Thus pulmonary valve replacement and antibiotics therapy were performed and discharged. He was brought to the emergency unit presenting with a high fever (>39℃) and general weakness 6 months after the initial operation. The echocardiography revealed prosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis. Therefore, redo-pulmonary valve replacement using valved conduit was performed in the Rastelli fashion because of the risk of pulmonary arterial wall injury and recurrent endocarditis from the remnant inflammatory tissue. We report here on the successful surgical treatment of prosthetic pulmonary valve endocarditis with an alternative surgical method. PMID:23772409

  3. Aortic valve function after bicuspidization of the unicuspid aortic valve.

    PubMed

    Aicher, Diana; Bewarder, Moritz; Kindermann, Michael; Abdul-Khalique, Hashim; Schäfers, Hans-Joachim

    2013-05-01

    Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) anatomy leads to dysfunction of the valve in young individuals. We introduced a reconstructive technique of bicuspidizing the UAV. Initially we copied the typical asymmetry of a normal bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) (I), later we created a symmetric BAV (II). This study compared the hemodynamic function of the two designs of a bicuspidized UAV. Aortic valve function was studied at rest and during exercise in 28 patients after repair of UAV (group I, n = 8; group II, n = 20). There were no differences among the groups I and II with respect to gender, age, body size, or weight. All patients were in New York Heart Association class I. Six healthy adults served as control individuals. All patients were studied with transthoracic echocardiography between 4 and 65 months postoperatively. Systolic gradients were assessed by continuous wave Doppler while patients were at rest and exercising on a bicycle ergometer. Aortic regurgitation was grade I or less in all patients. Resting gradients were significantly elevated in group I compared with group II and control individuals (group I, peak 33.8 ± 7.8 mm Hg; mean 19.1 ± 5.4 mm Hg; group II, peak 15.8 ± 5.4, mean 8.2 ± 2.8 mm Hg; control individuals, peak 6.0 ± 1.6, mean 3.2 ± 0.8 mm Hg; p < 0.001). At 100 W peak gradients were highest in group I (group I, 62.7 ± 16.7 mm Hg; group II, 28.1 ± 7.6 mm Hg; control individuals, 15.4 ± 4.6 mm Hg; p < 0.001). Converting a UAV into a symmetric bicuspid design results in adequate valve competence. A symmetric repair design leads to improved systolic aortic valve function at rest and during exercise. Copyright © 2013 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Valve assembly having remotely replaceable bearings

    DOEpatents

    Johnson, Evan R.; Tanner, David E.

    1980-01-01

    A valve assembly having remotely replaceable bearings is disclosed wherein a valve disc is supported within a flow duct for rotation about a pair of axially aligned bearings, one of which is carried by a spindle received within a diametral bore in the valve disc, and the other of which is carried by a bearing support block releasably mounted on the duct circumferentially of an annular collar on the valve disc coaxial with its diametrical bore. The spindle and bearing support block are adapted for remote removal to facilitate servicing or replacement of the valve disc support bearings.

  5. Incidence, Timing, and Predictors of Valve Hemodynamic Deterioration After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Multicenter Registry.

    PubMed

    Del Trigo, Maria; Muñoz-Garcia, Antonio J; Wijeysundera, Harindra C; Nombela-Franco, Luis; Cheema, Asim N; Gutierrez, Enrique; Serra, Vicenç; Kefer, Joelle; Amat-Santos, Ignacio J; Benitez, Luis M; Mewa, Jumana; Jiménez-Quevedo, Pilar; Alnasser, Sami; Garcia Del Blanco, Bruno; Dager, Antonio; Abdul-Jawad Altisent, Omar; Puri, Rishi; Campelo-Parada, Francisco; Dahou, Abdellaziz; Paradis, Jean-Michel; Dumont, Eric; Pibarot, Philippe; Rodés-Cabau, Josep

    2016-02-16

    Scarce data exist on the incidence of and factors associated with valve hemodynamic deterioration (VHD) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study sought to determine the incidence, timing, and predictors of VHD in a large cohort of patients undergoing TAVR. This multicenter registry included 1,521 patients (48% male; 80 ± 7 years of age) who underwent TAVR. Mean echocardiographic follow-up was 20 ± 13 months (minimum: 6 months). Echocardiographic examinations were performed at discharge, at 6 to 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Annualized changes in mean gradient (mm Hg/year) were calculated by dividing the difference between the mean gradient at last follow-up and the gradient at discharge by the time between examinations. VHD was defined as a ≥10 mm Hg increase in transprosthetic mean gradient during follow-up compared with discharge assessment. The overall mean annualized rate of transprosthetic gradient progression during follow-up was 0.30 ± 4.99 mm Hg/year. A total of 68 patients met criteria of VHD (incidence: 4.5% during follow-up). The absence of anticoagulation therapy at hospital discharge (p = 0.002), a valve-in-valve (TAVR in a surgical valve) procedure (p = 0.032), the use of a 23-mm valve (p = 0.016), and a greater body mass index (p = 0.001) were independent predictors of VHD. There was a mild but significant increase in transvalvular gradients over time after TAVR. The lack of anticoagulation therapy, a valve-in-valve procedure, a greater body mass index, and the use of a 23-mm transcatheter valve were associated with higher rates of VHD post-TAVR. Further prospective studies are required to determine whether a specific antithrombotic therapy post-TAVR may reduce the risk of VHD. Copyright © 2016 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Innovative Stemless Valve Eliminates Emissions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2008-01-01

    Big Horn Valve Inc. (BHVI), of Sheridan, Wyoming, won a series of SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts with Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center to explore and develop a revolutionary valve technology. BHVI developed a low-mass, high-efficiency, leak-proof cryogenic valve using composites and exotic metals, and had no stem-actuator, few moving parts, with an overall cylindrical shape. The valve has been installed at a methane coal gas field, and future applications are expected to include in-flight refueling of military aircraft, high-volume gas delivery systems, petroleum refining, and in the nuclear industry.

  7. Microfluidic Valves Made From Polymerized Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate

    PubMed Central

    Rogers, Chad I.; Oxborrow, Joseph B.; Anderson, Ryan R.; Tsai, Long-Fang; Nordin, Gregory P.; Woolley, Adam T.

    2013-01-01

    Pneumatically actuated, non-elastomeric membrane valves fabricated from polymerized polyethylene glycol diacrylate (poly-PEGDA) have been characterized for temporal response, valve closure, and long-term durability. A ~100 ms valve opening time and a ~20 ms closure time offer valve operation as fast as 8 Hz with potential for further improvement. Comparison of circular and rectangular valve geometries indicates that the surface area for membrane interaction in the valve region is important for valve performance. After initial fabrication, the fluid pressure required to open a closed circular valve is ~50 kPa higher than the control pressure holding the valve closed. However, after ~1000 actuations to reconfigure polymer chains and increase elasticity in the membrane, the fluid pressure required to open a valve becomes the same as the control pressure holding the valve closed. After these initial conditioning actuations, poly-PEGDA valves show considerable robustness with no change in effective operation after 115,000 actuations. Such valves constructed from non-adsorptive poly-PEGDA could also find use as pumps, for application in small volume assays interfaced with biosensors or impedance detection, for example. PMID:24357897

  8. Krox20 defines a subpopulation of cardiac neural crest cells contributing to arterial valves and bicuspid aortic valve.

    PubMed

    Odelin, Gaëlle; Faure, Emilie; Coulpier, Fanny; Di Bonito, Maria; Bajolle, Fanny; Studer, Michèle; Avierinos, Jean-François; Charnay, Patrick; Topilko, Piotr; Zaffran, Stéphane

    2018-01-03

    Although cardiac neural crest cells are required at early stages of arterial valve development, their contribution during valvular leaflet maturation remains poorly understood. Here, we show in mouse that neural crest cells from pre-otic and post-otic regions make distinct contributions to the arterial valve leaflets. Genetic fate-mapping analysis of Krox20-expressing neural crest cells shows a large contribution to the borders and the interleaflet triangles of the arterial valves. Loss of Krox20 function results in hyperplastic aortic valve and partially penetrant bicuspid aortic valve formation. Similar defects are observed in neural crest Krox20 -deficient embryos. Genetic lineage tracing in Krox20 -/- mutant mice shows that endothelial-derived cells are normal, whereas neural crest-derived cells are abnormally increased in number and misplaced in the valve leaflets. In contrast, genetic ablation of Krox20 -expressing cells is not sufficient to cause an aortic valve defect, suggesting that adjacent cells can compensate this depletion. Our findings demonstrate a crucial role for Krox20 in arterial valve development and reveal that an excess of neural crest cells may be associated with bicuspid aortic valve. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  9. Pump, and earth-testable spacecraft capillary heat transport loop using augmentation pump and check valves

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baker, David (Inventor)

    1998-01-01

    A spacecraft includes heat-generating payload equipment, and a heat transport system with a cold plate thermally coupled to the equipment and a capillary-wick evaporator, for evaporating coolant liquid to cool the equipment. The coolant vapor is coupled to a condenser and in a loop back to the evaporator. A heated coolant reservoir is coupled to the loop for pressure control. If the wick is not wetted, heat transfer will not begin or continue. A pair of check valves are coupled in the loop, and the heater is cycled for augmentation pumping of coolant to and from the reservoir. This augmentation pumping, in conjunction with the check valves, wets the wick. The wick liquid storage capacity allows the augmentation pump to provide continuous pulsed liquid flow to assure continuous vapor transport and a continuously operating heat transport system. The check valves are of the ball type to assure maximum reliability. However, any type of check valve can be used, including designs which are preloaded in the closed position. The check valve may use any ball or poppet material which resists corrosion. For optimum performance during testing on Earth, the ball or poppet would have neutral buoyancy or be configured in a closed position when the heat transport system is not operating. The ball may be porous to allow passage of coolant vapor.

  10. Missed aortic valve endocarditis resulting in complete atrioventricular block and redo mechanical valve replacement.

    PubMed

    Harky, Amer; Garner, Megan; Popa, Miruna; Shipolini, Alex

    2017-08-03

    Infective endocarditis is a rare disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. As a result, early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment with or without surgical intervention is crucial in the management of such condition.We report a case of missed infective endocarditis of the aortic valve. The patient underwent mechanical aortic valve replacement, with the native valve being sent for histopathological examination. On re-admission 16 months later, he presented with syncope, shortness of breathing and complete heart block. On review of the histopathology of native aortic valve, endocarditis was identified which had not been acted on. The patient underwent redo aortic valve replacement for severe aortic regurgitation.We highlight the importance of following up histopathological results as well as the need for multidisciplinary treatment of endocarditis with a combination of surgical and antibiotic therapy. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

  11. Apparatus and method for non-invasive diagnosis and control of motor operated valve condition

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lyon, R.H.; Chai, J.; Lang, J.H.

    1997-01-14

    An apparatus compares the torque from an MOV motor with the valve displacement, and from the comparison assesses MOV operating condition. A transducer measures the vibration of the housing of an MOV. The vibrations are due to the motions of the rotating elements within the housing, which motions are directly related to the motion of the valve relative to its seat. Signal processing apparatus analyzes the vibrations to recover the rotations of the rotating elements and thus the motion of the valve plug. Lost motion can also be determined (if a lost motion connection exists) by demodulating the vibration signalmore » and thus taking into account also the lost motion. Simultaneously, the forces applied to the valve are estimated by estimating the torque between the stator and the rotor of the motor. Such torque can be estimated from measuring the input current and voltage alone, using a forgetting factor and a correction for the forgetting factor. A signature derived from relating the torque to the valve position can be used to assess the condition of the MOV, by comparing the signature to signatures for MOVs of known conditions. The vibration analysis components generate signals that relate to the position of elements in the operator. Similarly, the torque estimator estimates the torque output by any type of electric motor, whether or not part of an MOV analysis unit. 28 figs.« less

  12. Transapical Mitral Valve Implantation for Native Mitral Valve Stenosis Using a Balloon-Expandable Prosthesis.

    PubMed

    Kiefer, Philipp; Noack, Thilo; Seeburger, Joerg; Hoyer, Alexandro; Linke, Axel; Mangner, Norman; Lehmkuhl, Lukas; Mohr, Friedrich Wilhelm; Holzhey, David

    2017-12-01

    Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is still in its infancy and is mainly limited to valve-in-valve or valve-in-ring implantations. We present the early experience with TMVI for severe calcified native MV stenosis. Between January 2014 and June 2015, 6 of 11 patients screened (mean age, 77.4 ± 6.3 years; 66% men) with severe native mitral valve (MV) stenosis (mean gradient [Pmean], 11.1 ± 2.1 mm Hg; mean effective orifice area [EOA], 0.9 ± 0.12 cm 2 ) underwent transcatheter MV replacement at our institution as a bailout procedure. Conventional surgical procedures were denied in all patients because of severe annular calcification and extensive comorbidities (mean logistic EuroScore, 31.4% ± 8.3%). The Edwards SAPIEN 3 (29 mm) (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) was used in all cases. Procedural access was transapical in 5 cases and concomitant to aortic valve replacement through the left atrium through a sternotomy in 1 case. Initial implantation was successful in 100% of the cases. Because of early migration, 1 patient needed a valve-in-valve procedure. Postoperative echocardiography showed no residual mitral regurgitation in 4 cases (66%) and mild regurgitation in 2 cases (34%). Mean gradients were reduced to 4.2 ± 0.6 mm Hg (mean EOA, 2.8 ± 0.4 cm 2) . No patient had a stroke during hospitalization, and 30-day mortality was seen in 1 patient (17%) resulting from pneumonia. TMV implantation using the SAPIEN 3 aortic prosthesis in patients with heavy annular calcification is feasible and represents a reasonable bailout option for inoperable patients. However, several limitations need to be considered in this special patient population. Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. A new high intensity and short-pulse molecular beam valve

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yan, B.; Claus, P. F. H.; van Oorschot, B. G. M.; Gerritsen, L.; Eppink, A. T. J. B.; van de Meerakker, S. Y. T.; Parker, D. H.

    2013-02-01

    In this paper, we report on the design and performance of a new home-built pulsed gas valve, which we refer to as the Nijmegen Pulsed Valve (NPV). The main output characteristics include a short pulse width (as short as 20 μs) combined with operating rates up to 30 Hz. The operation principle of the NPV is based on the Lorentz force created by a pulsed current passing through an aluminum strip located within a magnetic field, which opens the nozzle periodically. The amplitude of displacement of the opening mechanism is sufficient to allow the use of nozzles with up to 1.0 mm diameter. To investigate the performance of the valve, several characterizations were performed with different experimental methods. First, a fast ionization gauge was used to measure the beam intensity of the free jet emanating from the NPV. We compare free jets from the NPV with those from several other pulsed valves in current use in our laboratory. Results showed that a high intensity and short pulse-length beam could be generated by the new valve. Second, the NPV was tested in combination with a skimmer, where resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization combined with velocity map imaging was used to show that the NPV was able to produce a pulsed molecular beam with short pulse duration (˜20 μs using 0.1% NO/He at 6 bars) and low rotational temperature (˜1 K using 0.5% NO/Ar at 6 bars). Third, a novel two-point pump-probe method was employed which we label double delay scan. This method allows a full kinematic characterization of the molecular beam, including accurate speed ratios at different temporal positions. It was found that the speed ratio was maximum (S = 50 using 0.1% NO/He at 3 bars) at the peak position of the molecular beam and decreased when it was on the leading or falling edge.

  14. [Tricuspid valve insufficiency: what should be done?].

    PubMed

    von Segesser, L K; Stauffer, J C; Delabays, A; Chassot, P G

    1998-12-01

    Tricuspid regurgitation is relatively common. Due to the progress made in echocardiography, its diagnosis is in general made readily and in reliable fashion. Basically one has to distinguish between functional tricuspid valve regurgitation due to volume and/or pressure overload of the right ventricle with intact valve structures versus tricuspid valve regurgitation due to pathologic valve structures. The clear identification of the regurgitation mechanism is of prime importance for the treatment. Functional tricuspid valve regurgitation can often be improved by medical treatment of heart failure, and eventually a tricuspid valve plasty can solve the problem. However, the presence of pathologic tricuspid valve structures makes in general more specific plastic surgical procedures and even prosthetic valve replacements necessary. A typical example for a structural tricuspid valve regurgitation is the case of a traumatic papillary muscle rupture. Due to the sudden onset, this pathology is not well tolerated and requires in general surgical reinsertion of the papillary muscle. In contrast, tricuspid valve regurgitation resulting from chronic pulmonary embolism with pulmonary artery hypertension, can be improved by pulmonary artery thrombendarteriectomy and even completely cured with an additional tricuspid annuloplasty. However, tricuspid regurgitations due to terminal heart failure are not be addressed with surgery directed to tricuspid valve repair or replacement. Heart transplantation, dynamic cardiomyoplasty or mechanical circulatory support should be evaluated instead.

  15. Tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular function after mitral valve surgery with or without concomitant tricuspid valve procedure.

    PubMed

    Desai, Ravi R; Vargas Abello, Lina Maria; Klein, Allan L; Marwick, Thomas H; Krasuski, Richard A; Ye, Ying; Nowicki, Edward R; Rajeswaran, Jeevanantham; Blackstone, Eugene H; Pettersson, Gösta B

    2013-11-01

    To study the effect of mitral valve repair with or without concomitant tricuspid valve repair on functional tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular function. From 2001 to 2007, 1833 patients with degenerative mitral valve disease, a structurally normal tricuspid valve, and no coronary artery disease underwent mitral valve repair, and 67 underwent concomitant tricuspid valve repair. Right ventricular function (myocardial performance index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) was measured before and after surgery using transthoracic echocardiography for randomly selected patients with tricuspid regurgitation grade 0, 1+, and 2+ (100 patients for each grade) and 93 with grade 3+/4+, 393 patients in total. In patients with mild (<3+) preoperative tricuspid regurgitation, mitral valve repair alone was associated with reduced tricuspid regurgitation and mild worsening of right ventricular function. Tricuspid regurgitation of 2+ or greater developed in fewer than 20%, and right ventricular function had improved, but not to preoperative levels, at 3 years. In patients with severe (3+/4+) preoperative tricuspid regurgitation, mitral valve repair alone reduced tricuspid regurgitation and improved right ventricular function; however, tricuspid regurgitation of 2+ or greater returned and right ventricular function worsened toward preoperative levels within 3 years. Concomitant tricuspid valve repair effectively eliminated severe tricuspid regurgitation and improved right ventricular function. Also, over time, tricuspid regurgitation did not return and right ventricular function continued to improve to levels comparable to that of patients with lower grades of preoperative tricuspid regurgitation. In patients with mitral valve disease and severe tricuspid regurgitation, mitral valve repair alone was associated with improved tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular function. However, the improvements were incomplete and temporary. In contrast, concomitant

  16. Method of Manufacturing Carbon Fiber Reinforced Carbon Composite Valves

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rivers, H. Kevin (Inventor); Ransone, Philip O. (Inventor); Northam, G. Burton (Inventor)

    1998-01-01

    A method for forming a carbon composite valve for internal combustion engines is discussed. The process includes the steps of braiding carbon fiber into a rope thereby forming a cylindrically shaped valve stem portion and continuing to braid said fiber while introducing into the braiding carbon fiber rope a carbon matrix plug having an outer surface in a net shape of a valve head thereby forming a valve head portion. The said carbon matrix plug acting as a mandrel over which said carbon fiber rope is braided, said carbon fiber rope and carbon matrix plug forming a valve head portion suitable for mating with a valve seat; cutting said braided carbon valve stem portion at one end to form a valve tip and cutting said braided carbon fiber after said valve head portion to form a valve face and thus provide a composite valve preform; and densifying said preform by embedding the braided carbon in a matrix of carbon to convert said valve stem portion to a valve stem and said valve head portion to a valve head thereby providing said composite valve.

  17. Lightweight Valve Closes Duct Quickly

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fournier, Walter L.; Burgy, N. Frank

    1991-01-01

    Expanding balloon serves as lightweight emergency valve to close wide duct. Uninflated balloon stored in housing of duct. Pad resting on burst diaphragm protects balloon from hot gases in duct. Once control system triggers valve, balloon inflates rapidly to block duct. Weighs much less than does conventional butterfly, hot-gas, or poppet valve capable of closing duct of equal diameter.

  18. Dual Check Valve and Method of Controlling Flow Through the Same

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Corallo, Roger (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    A dual check valve includes, a housing having a cavity fluidically connecting three ports, a movable member movably engaged within the cavity from at least a first position occluding a first port of the three ports, a second position occluding a second port of the three ports, and a third position allowing flow between both the first port, the second port and a third port of the three ports.

  19. Energy conservation with automatic flow control valves

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Phillips, D.

    Automatic flow control valves are offered in a wide range of sizes starting at 1/2 in. with flow rates of 0.5 gpm and up. They are also provided with materials and end connections to meet virtually any fan-coil system requirement. Among these are copper sweat type valves; ductile iron threaded valves; male/female threaded brass valves; and combination flow control/ball valves with union ends.

  20. Miniature electrically operated diaphragm valve

    DOEpatents

    Adkins, Douglas R.; Spletzer, Barry L.; Wong, Chungnin C.; Frye-Mason, Gregory C.; Fischer, Gary J.; Hesketh, Peter J.

    2001-01-01

    The present invention provides a miniature electrically operated valve that can stand off significant pressures, that can be inexpensively produced, and that can be made to operate without continuous electrical power. A valve according to the present invention comprises a housing and a beam mounted with the housing. A diaphragm mounted with the housing forms a sealed fluid volume. An electromagnetic energy source, such as an electromagnetic coil, mounts with the housing and when energized urges the beam in one direction. The beam can be urged in the opposing direction by passive means or by reversing the polarity of the electromagnetic energy source or by a second electromagnetic energy source. Two fluid ports mount with the housing. A first fluid port mounts so that, as the beam is urged in one direction or the opposite, the beam urges the diaphragm to move between engaging and substantially sealing the fluid port and disengaging and not substantially sealing the fluid port. A seat can be mounted with the diaphragm to aid in sealing the fluid port. Latching mechanisms such as permanent magnets can be mounted so that the valve remains in the open or closed positions without continuous electrical power input. Fluid can flow through the housing between the two fluid ports when the diaphragm does not seal the first fluid port, but can be prevented from flowing by urging the beam so that the diaphragm seals the first fluid port. Various embodiments accommodate various latching mechanisms, electromagnetic energy sources, number of fluid ports, and diaphragm design considerations.