Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5.14 Thickness comparison between different sources of pericardial tissue
(1 inch 25.4mm). While thickness does not equate to strength per se, it is
often specified as a design criteria. In the case of a percutaneous valve,
however, thickness is indeed a critical design specification, as it determines
the minimum packing volume for the valve.
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Transfemoral Delivery System, showing the percutaneous heart valve in its
retracted, or packed, state. Note the tight packing of the tissue leaflets within
the frame, with a central opening for the guidewire to direct insertion. Clearly,
thicker tissue would require a greater packing volume compared to thinner
tissue. As such, tissue thickness is an important design constraint for
percutaneous valve designs. (Image reprinted with permission from Edwards
Lifesciences LLC. RetroFlex 3
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is a registered trademark of Edwards
Lifesciences Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)
5.15 Schematic diagram of the Edwards Lifesciences RetroFlex 3
