Lattice Boltzmann dynamic simulation of a mechanical heart valve device

A computational method for simulating blood flow through a heart mechanical valve in aortic position, based on lattice Boltzmann methods is presented in this work. Changes of fluid properties, affected by the valve opening and closing, were considered as well as time related changes of solid–liquid boundary conditions. The artificial devices opening and closing response is governed by the dynamic interaction of the mobile elements of the mechanic valve as the fluid passes through. Two-dimensional simulation results of two mechanical heart valve devices already existing in the market were conducted: St. Jude Medical's (bileaflet) valve model and Hall Kaster (HK) Medtronic Hall's (one-leaflet) valve model. Shear stresses and pressure distributions as well as velocity profiles were quantified at different times of the heart cycle. Results obtained compared very well with the experimental values published in the technical literature.