A hybrid phenomenological finite element model of transcatheter aortic valve leaflet behaviour under non-circular annular deployment: in vitro validation and biomechanical insights
摘要
Transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs) typically operate on non-circular rings, but the impact of annular ellipticity on valve mechanics remains insufficiently quantified. In this study, we present a finite element (FE) framework of a 27 mm Allegra TAV that reproduces the complete model, including stent and pericardial skirt and leaflets. The leaflets were represented using a general shell formulation that decouples the in-plane and bending responses, leading to a hybrid shell–membrane finite element model. A linear elastic constitutive law was calibrated through inverse FE analysis based on cantilever bending experiments performed on bovine pericardium. The model was validated against in vitro pulse duplicator tests for circular and highly elliptical geometries, reproducing distinctive features such as full systolic opening and the asymmetric ‘pinwheel’ pattern during diastolic closure. Once validated, the model is used to investigate the impact of annular ellipticity across six annular aortic geometries. Each geometry was evaluated in two limiting orientations of the ellipse’s major axis (0