Proof testing of mechanical heart valves
US6062075A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M99/007
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for proof testing an assembled mechanical heart valve prosthesis having a valve body and at least one movable occluder wherein at least one of the components has a surface of nonmetallic crystalline material, such as pyrocarbon, in which microcrack growth may occur. The assembled valve prosthesis is subjected to fluid loading with the occluder in the closed position so as to create omnidirectional pressure of at least 20 psig therewithin on the downstream side of the occluder. During fluid loading of the assembled valve, acoustic monitoring is carried out using a transducer to detect sounds that are indicative of crack nucleation and/or incremental crack extension, based upon a predetermined fail-pass criterion. Any valve prosthesis wherein sounds of a greater magnitude are detected is rejected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.