Method to measure the 3D angular orientation of the aortic valve plane from a single image of a valvuloplasty balloon: Findings of a large animal proof of concept experiment

(1) Background: The measurement of intracochlear sound pressure (ICSP) is relevant to obtain better understanding of the biomechanics of hearing. The goal of this work was a proof of concept of a partially implantable intracochlear acoustic receiver (ICAR) fulfilling all requirements for acute ICSP measurements in a large animal. The ICAR was designed not only to be used in chronic animal experiments but also as a microphone for totally implantable cochlear implants (TICI). (2) Methods: The ICAR concept was based on a commercial MEMS condenser microphone customized with a protective diaphragm that provided a seal and optimized geometry for accessing the cochlea. The ICAR was validated under laboratory conditions and using in-vivo experiments in sheep. (3) Results: For the first time acute ICSP measurements were successfully performed in a live specimen that is representative of the anatomy and physiology of the human. Data obtained are in agreement with published data from cadavers. The surgeons reported high levels of ease of use and satisfaction with the system design. (4) Conclusions: Our results confirm that the developed ICAR can be used to measure ICSP in acute experiments. The next generation of the ICAR will be used in chronic sheep experiments and in TICI.

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Proof of Concept of an Endoscopic Sutureless Valve Sizer

Innovations Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery ◽

10.1097/imi.0000000000000313 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 337-341 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marco Vola ◽

Juan Pablo Maureira ◽

Vito Giovanni Ruggieri ◽

Jean-François Fuzellier ◽

Salvatore Campisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aortic Valve ◽

Early Stage ◽

Ascending Aorta ◽

Aortic Annulus ◽

Laboratory Evaluation ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Valve Size ◽

Sutureless Valve ◽

Selection Of

Objective In this paper, we present an endoscopic expandable sizer conceived to allow thoracoscopic aortic valve replacement with a sutureless prosthesis using a dynamic sizing of the aortic annulus. Methods Ten aortic torsos were prepared using a five-trocar thoracoscopic setting. Once the aortotomy was performed and the aortic valve leaflets removed, the technical feasibility of the endoscopic sizing (introduction into the trocar, expansion into the aortic annulus, determination of the valve size, and retraction) with the device was assessed. In case of successful thoracoscopic sizing, endoscopic implantation of a sutureless valve (five LivaNova Perceval prosthesis and five Medtronic 3f Enable bioprosthesis) was performed. Before ascending aorta closure, we assessed the appropriate sealing of the bioprosthesis in the native annulus with camera visualization and a nerve hook inspection. Results All the 10 endoscopic sizings were technically feasible. The scheduled aortic sutureless valve implantations were successfully performed. In all cases, fitting and placement of the sutureless bio-prosthesis in the flaccid heart was satisfactory, with no paraprosthetic leakage detectable by the nerve hook. Conclusions The use of the endoscopic expandable sizer is technically possible. In this early-stage test in the flaccid heart, selection of the valve size was satisfactory during thoracoscopic sutureless aortic bioprosthesis implantation. Further laboratory evaluation with fluid dynamics (aortic root pressurization) will be performed before a clinical study is started.

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SU-C-18C-02: Specifcation of X-Ray Projection Angles Which Are Aligned with the Aortic Valve Plane From a Planar Image of a Valvuloplasty Balloon Inflated Across the Aortic Valve

Medical Physics ◽

10.1118/1.4887836 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 41 (6Part2) ◽

pp. 102-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K Fetterly ◽

V Mathew

Keyword(s):

Aortic Valve ◽

Planar Image ◽

X Ray ◽

Ray Projection ◽

Valve Plane

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A Proof of Concept Study of Using Machine-Learning in Artificial Aortic Valve Design: From Leaflet Design to Stress Analysis

Bioengineering ◽

10.3390/bioengineering6040104 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 104 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Liang Liang ◽

Bill Sun

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Neural Networks ◽

Aortic Valve ◽

Stress Analysis ◽

Heart Valves ◽

Deep Neural Networks ◽

Design Parameters ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Concept Study

Artificial heart valves, used to replace diseased human heart valves, are life-saving medical devices. Currently, at the device development stage, new artificial valves are primarily assessed through time-consuming and expensive benchtop tests or animal implantation studies. Computational stress analysis using the finite element (FE) method presents an attractive alternative to physical testing. However, FE computational analysis requires a complex process of numeric modeling and simulation, as well as in-depth engineering expertise. In this proof of concept study, our objective was to develop machine learning (ML) techniques that can estimate the stress and deformation of a transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) from a given set of TAV leaflet design parameters. Two deep neural networks were developed and compared: the autoencoder-based ML-models and the direct ML-models. The ML-models were evaluated through Monte Carlo cross validation. From the results, both proposed deep neural networks could accurately estimate the deformed geometry of the TAV leaflets and the associated stress distributions within a second, with the direct ML-models (ML-model-d) having slightly larger errors. In conclusion, although this is a proof-of-concept study, the proposed ML approaches have demonstrated great potential to serve as a fast and reliable tool for future TAV design.

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