title: Development of a Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Prosthesis Through Steps of Iterative Optimization and Finite Element Analysis.
abstract: The development of a transcatheter tricuspid valve prosthesis for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is presented. The design process involves an iterative development method based on computed tomography data and different steps of finite element analysis (FEA). The enhanced design consists of two self-expandable stents, one is placed inside the superior vena cava (SVC) for primary device anchoring, the second lies inside the tricuspid valve annulus (TVA). Both stents are connected by flexible connecting struts (CS) to anchor the TVA-stent in the orthotopic position. The iterative development method includes the expansion and crimping of the stents and CS with FEA. Leaflet performance and leaflet-stent interaction were studied by applying the physiologic pressure cycle of the right heart onto the leaflet surfaces. A previously implemented nitinol material model and a new porcine pericardium material model derived from uniaxial tensile tests were used. Maximum strains/stresses were approx. 6.8% for the nitinol parts and 2.9 MPa for the leaflets. Stent displacement because of leaflet movement was ≤1.8 mm at the commissures and the coaptation height was 1.6-3 mm. This led to an overall good performance of the prosthesis. An anatomic study showed a good anatomic fit of the device inside the human right heart.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Desiree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pott
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kütting
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Zhaoyang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amerini
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spillner
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Rüdiger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Autschbach
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Steinseifer
mesh_terms: D001705:Bioprosthesis; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Leaflet design; Self-expanding; Stent design; Structural analysis; Transcatheter valve; Tricuspid regurgitation; Validation