Design a Heart Valve

Evidence of Work

Ryan Wu- Young Modulus Data

Ryan Wu- Heart Valve Testing Data

Ryan Wu - (Part 3) Steps 1 and 2 - Heart valve modeling and material testing (DRAFT)

Ryan Wu - Research Forces, Elasticity, Stress, Strain and Young’s Modulus

Ryan Wu - Design a Heart Valve model, Part 1 - Research on how heart tissues work -- their structure and composition

Ryan Wu- (Part 3) Steps 3,4,5 Heart valve modeling and material testing

The Project

For this project, we created a prototype heart valve to examine the functions of real-world heart valves while exploring the design process for engineers. We began by researching how hearts work and the cardiovascular system that they play a crucial role in. We then moved to studying artificial heart valves and how they mimic the functions of real hearts using mechanical valves and structures. We used our research to help brainstorm possible ideas for our prototype and began sketching real and artificial hearts. We then brainstormed for our designing using a padlet to organize our ideas and a GANTT chart to manage our time and create a schedule for our tasks.

We gathered possible materials for our design from common household products like PVC piping, gloves, cardboard, plastic, metal, and tape. We used what we learned in class about Young's modulus to design stress and strain experiments to test the strength of our materials. We used google sheets to organize our data and used it to decide on our materials. We landed on PVC pipes for a hard outer shell, gloves for a waterproof inner lining and sealer, a funnel to direct flow, and a solo cup to create a valve that could open and close.

When building our design we encountered a few issues. Our first design used cardboard instead of the PVC which ended up getting wet and breaking apart when we put in water. We fixed this by replacing the outer shell with PVC. We also had cut a hole in the solo cup that would let water in but couldn't hold it and close. We fixed this by cutting flaps instead of a hole that water could get into but would close when filled to a certain point. Our desing also leaked which we fixed by taping the outside and cracks were water was able to escape.

Pictures

IMG_5892.MOV

Concepts

Young's Modulus- A scientific theorem and formula that can be used to calculate the strength of a material. Stress/Strain. We used this to test our various materials and their strengths
Stress- An applied force to an object over a certain area. F/A. We used spring scales to pull and measure how much each of our materials would deform under pressure
Strain- The deformation of an object as a result of stress. (Change in L/L initial)
Elasticity- The property of an object to deformed go back to its original shape after a stress is applied and removed. We used this to determine how much stress could be put on each material before it is unable to reform to its original shape.
Padlet- Software program that works like a digital whiteboard to keep, organize, and build on ideas within a group. We used this to organize and brainstorm ideas for our heart valve. Our link: https://padlet.com/pataghavianhakkak/design-a-heart-valve-93cydgdhk72schav
GANTT Chart- A type of chart/model that allows you to set tasks for a specific interval of time and keep components and tasks on schedule. We used this to lay out when each part of this project should've been finished and to manage our time accordingly.
Sketches/Drawings- Technical drawings are detailed, scaled, and realistic models of a prototype either hand drawn or through a software program. Sketches are rough models that come before drawings and aren't to scale or very detailed and can help visualize a design.

Reflection

During this project, I did well with collaboration by working together with my group to build a functional heart valve prototype. We also communicated well to gather our materials and test them. By working together effectively in a small group we were able to split the work and get everything done efficiently. Overall this project went very well and was effective in helping us learn the design process that engineers use for real world project.

Something I could work on is time management which falls into conscientious learning. While we got everything done on time, we had to work a lot harder near the deadline to make sure everything got finished. We would've been less rushed if we worked on more int he beggining and planned ahead better. I could also work on critical thinking when working through issues that came up when actually building our model. When confronted with issues in our design we weren't able to work through them without the help of a teacher or from other groups.

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