A method to develop patient-specific models for FE analysis of aortic root dilatation

Author: Yachen Zhao

Zhao, Yachen, 2017 A method to develop patient-specific models for FE analysis of aortic root dilatation, Flinders University, School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics

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Abstract

Risk evaluation for surgery in aortic aneurysm disease should be considered fully. Patient-specific model increases the accuracy of simulation results by rebuilding mathematical models from real patients CT Scan images. Patient-specific model for dilatation of the aortic root has been studied by Grande et al. (1997), however, little information is provided with regards to the methods for the model development. A standardised methodology would allow a streamlined process for developing patient specific models that may be used for pre-operative planning, or in the decision making of when to operate.

In this study, a patient specific model method for dilatation aortic root study was developed. This method generating a model from CT image data. Then, the initial model was smoothed and generated in ScanIP. After creating aortic leaflets in ANSYS, conbime the leaflets and the aortic wall in ANSYS DesignModeler to have a complete aortic root model. Finally, the aortic root model is simulated in ANSYS and validated by previous studies.

The maximum stresses are 0.864 MPa at Right-Coronary leaflet, 1.03MPa at Left-Coronary leaflet, while the Non-Coronary leaflet has the largest value 1.19MPa. Right-Coronary leaflet has an extreme maximum strain value of 0.404, which is followed by Non-Coronary leaflet (0.273 maximum strain). Left-Coronary leaflet has 0.228 maximum strain.

This method contributes to feature patient specific model building. It is a dilated aortic root from real patient rather than a dilatation aortic root model simulated from normal aortic root.

Keywords: simulation, aortic valve, Finite Element Analysis

Subject: Engineering thesis

Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2017
School: School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Supervisor: Karen Reynolds