Towards Innovation of Stented Pericardial Aortic Valves for Transcatheter Implantation
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Wolfson Sch of Mech, Elec & Manufac Eng
Abstract
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Publications
Zhang J
(2025)
Computational evaluation of interactive dynamics for a full transcatheter aortic valve device in a patient-specific aortic root
in Computers in Biology and Medicine
| Description | 1. A More Realistic TAVI Model - The study developed a detailed computer simulation of a transcatheter aortic valve (TAVI) procedure, including all parts of the device and the specific structure of the heart, making it more accurate than previous models. 2. Tested and Verified Accuracy - The simulation was compared to real-world testing, showing that it closely predicts how the valve expands and interacts with heart tissue. 3. Optimal Balloon Pressure for Safe Deployment - The research found that inflating the balloon to 3-5 times normal air pressure (3-5 atm) helps the valve open properly, improves its fit in the heart, and reduces risks like leaks or poor positioning. However, excessive pressure can put high stress on heart tissue, increasing the risk of damage, excessive deformation, or even potential rupture. Finding the right balance is crucial for safe and effective valve deployment. 4. The Role of Existing Heart Structures - The study showed that factors like hardened deposits (calcifications) and native valve flaps (leaflets) affect how well the replacement valve expands and fits. These need to be considered for the best results. 5. Better Understanding for Future TAVI Procedures - The research highlighted key factors like how well the valve maintains its shape, how much stress is placed on heart tissue, and how the leaflets move after implantation, all of which are important for long-term success. |
| Exploitation Route | 1. Medical Training & Education - The computational modeling techniques developed can be integrated into training programs for clinicians and biomedical engineers, improving their understanding of TAVI procedures and patient-specific modeling. 2. Improving TAVI Planning - The simulation framework can help hospitals personalize TAVI procedures, optimizing valve positioning and reducing complications such as paravalvular leak and excessive tissue stress. 3. Advancing Medical Device Development - Manufacturers can use the findings to refine TAVI valve designs, optimizing materials and deployment mechanics for better long-term performance. 4. Guiding Clinical Best Practices - The research provides data-driven recommendations on balloon inflation pressures, ensuring safer valve deployment while minimizing risks of tissue damage. 5. Further Research & Innovation - Other researchers can apply this computational framework to study different heart valve replacements, expand patient-specific simulations, or explore its use in other cardiovascular interventions. 6. Regulatory & Policy Contributions - The findings can support regulatory bodies and policymakers in refining guidelines for TAVI procedures, ensuring safer, more effective treatments. |
| Sectors | Education Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Training for researchers |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Through this initiative, trainees have significantly enhanced their computational literacy and capability, enabling them to integrate computational models into their practice more effectively. This upskilling has the potential to drive greater adoption of computational modeling in evaluating future medical interventions, leading to improved decision-making and patient outcomes. |
| Title | Advanced computational model of the full deployment process for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) |
| Description | This study presents a novel computational model for simulating the full crimping and deployment process of a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) device in a patient-specific aortic root, incorporating native leaflets and calcification-elements often omitted in previous models. By integrating stent, fabric, artificial leaflets, and balloon dynamics, the model provides a more realistic representation of TAVI deployment, validated against experimental data. It also examines optimal balloon inflation pressures to improve device performance and reduce complications such as paravalvular leak and tissue stress. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This advanced numerical framework enhances pre-procedural planning, device design, and patient-specific optimisation, ultimately improving TAVI safety and effectiveness. |
| Description | Research partnership with Beijing Balance Medical |
| Organisation | Beijing Balance Medical Technology |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The team contribution includes latest experimental and computational expertise on project related topics, intellectual input on the future development of the topic area. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners contribution includes experimental data, images and results, clinical and industrial expertise. Training of staff on how to carried out latest implantation procedures. They also provided commercial samples and testing facilities for the research project. |
| Impact | Research output: Computational evaluation of interactive dynamics for a full transcatheter aortic valve device in a patient-specific aortic root: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.109512 Conference presentation: Understanding the impact of full TAVI deployment on patient-specific, asymmetrical, calcified aortic root, 8th International Conference on Material Modelling London, UK - 15-17 July 2024 Conference presentation: Computational evaluation of a full transcatheter aortic valve device in a patient-specific aortic root, 2nd International Conference on Medical Devices: Materials, Mechanics and Manufacturing ICMD3M, Corfu, Greece - 26-28 June 2023 |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Engineering Experience Visit Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Over 100 school students and their parents from across the nation visited our Engineering Experience visit day, which inspired further questions and discussions on cardiovascular health in general. Additionally, the project received further requests for details and participation in the research project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |