Numerical Study of Blood Flow Through Artificial Heart Valves

Abstract

Analysis of blood flow through artificial heart valves (Titling disc valve) with different angles of valve inclination is numerically studied. Finite volume method was adopted to solve continuity, momentum, and energy equations by using k-e model. Six different angles of inclination of valve change of (30,45,60,70,80,90) were considered with Reynolds number of laminar flow ranging 500,750,1000, and 1250 and Reynolds number of turbulent flow ranging 8000,12000,16000, and 2 0000. The results showed that the region of vortex formation before and after the artificial valve can clearly increase in recirculation zone after artificial valve has increased the Reynolds number. The maximum value of velocity was observed at the bottom side after valve was compared with top side of valve because the space of passage flow is larger than other side for all cases. The counter of velocity for turbulent range showed that the recirculation region is clearer and bigger after the valve was compared with laminar range. The best performance of artificial valve (Titling disc valve) was with greater opening angle of valve (90) compared with other cases. Generally, unsymmetrical blood flow for range opening angles valve were found to be (30,45,60,70,80,) while opening angle valve (90) for the blood flow was symmetrical and that demonstrated good performance for valve at angle (90). There can be seen a focus pressure of artificial valve (Titling disc valve) on one side in counter pressure and this may have harmful effect on aortas walls and lead to unnecessary aorta fatigue. The novelty of the present paper is to obtain new results for specific angle of valve since most papers focused on the standard angle.