Dynamic imaging of BHV cuspal motion using laser projection

Quantification of cusp deformation is essential in understanding the mechanisms leading to bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) failure. A novel experimental method utilizing a laser projection technique to investigate dynamic cuspal motion is presented. In a mock circulatory loop, a 19×19 matrix of laser dots was projected on to the surface of the valve cusps. A system of multiple cameras was employed to track the dots at various temporal points of the opening and the closing of the valve during the cardiac cycle. To obtain unobstructed views of the entire cuspal surface, including the basal region, high resolution boroscopes were used. The cusp surface at each temporal point was reconstructed in three dimensions. Apart from being non-contacting, the current method can reconstruct the entire surface of the cusp simultaneously. In addition to BHV studies, this approach is potentially applicable in investigations using bioreactor technology for tissue engineered heart valves