Heart Valve
Padlet:
padlet.com/saurban18/o518dopfcqn8
Notes:
Reflection :
This project was very interesting and I really enjoyed it. I liked it because it was real and something people actually do today. It's cool to learn about something that many humans have inside their bodies today and how exactly they are designed. At first it was tough, since heart valves already exists and designing a new one would be complicated. We decided to go with a harder, more sturdy design to make it last longer than something flimsy and thin. We finally got our design and put it together. It was successful. Obviously it would need more tweaks if it were actually going into a human heart, such as the size and the seal and materials. But our prototype works and I am very happy with our final product.
padlet.com/saurban18/o518dopfcqn8
Notes:
- These tissue-paper thin membranes attached to the heart wall constantly open and close to regulate blood flow.
- There are two types of prosthetic valves used for replacement: tissue heart valves and mechanical heart valves. Both are designed to mimic the function of a natural, healthy heart valve.
- A mechanical valve is usually between 25-31 mm
- The tricuspid valve controls blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.
- The pulmonary (pulmonic) valve controls blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery that delivers blood to the lungs.
- The mitral valve controls blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
- The aortic valve controls blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta.
- How do the heart valves function?
- As the heart muscle contracts and relaxes, the valves open and shut, letting blood flow into the ventricles and atria at alternate times. The following is a step-by-step illustration of how the valves function normally in the left ventricle:
- After the left ventricle contracts, the aortic valve closes and the mitral valve opens, to allow blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle.
- As the left atrium contracts, more blood flows into the left ventricle.
- When the left ventricle contracts again, the mitral valve closes and the aortic valve opens, so blood flows into the aorta.
- As the heart muscle contracts and relaxes, the valves open and shut, letting blood flow into the ventricles and atria at alternate times. The following is a step-by-step illustration of how the valves function normally in the left ventricle:
- What is a heart valve disease?
- Heart valves can have one of two malfunctions:
- Regurgitation: The valve(s) does not close completely, causing the blood to flow backward instead of forward through the valve.
- Stenosis: The valve(s) opening becomes narrowed or does not form properly, inhibiting the flow of blood out of the ventricle or atria. The heart is forced to pump blood with increased force in order to move blood through the stiff (stenotic) valve(s).
- Heart valves can have both malfunctions at the same time (regurgitation and stenosis). When heart valves fail to open and close properly, the implications for the heart can be serious, possibly hampering the heart’s ability to pump blood adequately through the body. Heart valve problems are one cause of heart failure.
- Heart valves can have one of two malfunctions:
- ¾ inch PVC tubing
- ¾ inch male PVC slip adaptor
- ¾ inch bouncy ball
Reflection :
This project was very interesting and I really enjoyed it. I liked it because it was real and something people actually do today. It's cool to learn about something that many humans have inside their bodies today and how exactly they are designed. At first it was tough, since heart valves already exists and designing a new one would be complicated. We decided to go with a harder, more sturdy design to make it last longer than something flimsy and thin. We finally got our design and put it together. It was successful. Obviously it would need more tweaks if it were actually going into a human heart, such as the size and the seal and materials. But our prototype works and I am very happy with our final product.