THE INFLUENCE OF PREMATURE CALCIFICATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THETRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE

The proposed project is aimed to provide information on the mechanism of premature calcification in the
Transcatheter Aortic Valves through a complete investigation of the physicochemical factors influencing the process
(chemical composition, pH, temperature, fluid dynamics, and the presence of foreign inorganic and organic
substances). The outcome of the proposed research project would allow formulation of the test criterions for proper
identification of the valve design prone to premature, flow-induced calcification.
The outcome of the proposed research would allow industrial partner, ViVitro Labs Inc., to expand the range of their
testing services towards the evaluation of the functional efficiency and biocompatibility of the implant prototypes
with respect to flow-induced calcification, allowing predetermining the risk of second operation for the substitution of
the defective implant. In addition to that, industrial partner would be able to propose a commercial system, capable of monitoring the process of flow-induced calcification, to its clients.

Faculty Supervisor:

Peter Oshkai

Student:

Partner:

ViVitro Labs Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Victoria

Program: