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Overview:
Building on the knowledge we've gained from previous lessons and activities, we were asked to go through a process of researching and selecting materials for our heart valve prototypes. In this phase, we carefully analyzed different materials, tested their properties and compared them to the known characteristics of real heart valve tissues. This research and testing helped us understand how different materials behaved under various conditions and how they would perform in a heart valve model.
After completing the testing phase, we chose the most suitable materials based on our findings. With these materials listed in the proposal below, we moved forward to design and construct our heart valve prototypes, taking into account the key performance factors needed for an effective solution. Once our models were built, we tested their overall functionality through various tests and a series of videos.
Following these tests, we looked for areas for improvement on our current model. In this stage, we explored different redesign strategies to refine our model. This involved modifying the design and incorporating new features to enhance its performance. We did not actually rebuild our design given the time restraints but rather internalized and talked through how we would go through this process.
Learning Objectives:
Work through the steps of the engineering design process to examine a problem, research it and decide the best way to tackle it, design and create a solution, test the prototype solution and redesign as needed, and then report their findings.
Research the materials that have been used in artificial heart valves in the past; identify possible materials for their prototype valve model designs.
Test materials to determine their elasticity; compare those values to the elasticity of real heart valves.
Construct prototype model heart valves, collect data from testing the model for its functionality compared to a real structure, and use the data to analyze the success of the model.
Compile, summarize and present their research and designs to the class in verbal and written formats.
The Challenge Problem:
You are a team of engineers for a bio-materials company that has a cardiovascular systems client who wants you to develop a model that can be used to test the properties of heart valves without using real specimens.
Our Process: This document entails the bulk of our process and prototype in general. Within it, there are descriptions on each of the materials we used and how we tested them. It also shows how we applied this knowledge to better understand where these materials should be placed in our prototype. This document serves as a "journal" for our process.
Key Concepts:
Determining the Young's modulus of our specific materials was highly important throughout our process. Not only did this allow us to obtain materials that would fit our model properly, but it also allowed us to gain a better understanding of this highly important concept in engineering. The model on the right portrays how we were successfully able to find the Young modulus of each material we tested.
Definition: The measure of how stiff a material is. It describes how much a material will stretch or compress when a force is applied.
Our stress vs. strain graphs were very important in helping us to determine the quality and Young modulus of each material we tested. It specifically provided insight on how a material behaves when force is applied to it. This is crucial for analyzing physical properties of materials such as elasticity and toughness.
Definition: Plot that shows the relationship between the stress (pascals) applied to a material and the strain (%) it experiences as a result. It helps to understand key elements such as yield strength, tensile strength, and fracture point.
Sketching was a huge part of our design process. Not only did sketching allow us to get our ideas down quickly and brainstorm, but it also channeled the creative aspect of this process. This also helped us to actually visualize what our prototype would look like.
Definition: The act of quickly and roughly drawing or outlining a subject or idea. It is typically done to capture a concept or visual representation in its basic form. It does not focus on precision because it is a way to get ideas down through artistic expression.
Heart Valves act as one-way gates, ensuring blood flows in the correct direction through the heart and prevents back flow or narrowing. Systole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood, causing the valves to open and close. Diastole is when the heart relaxes and fills with blood, causing other valves to open to allow blood to flow.
Overall, this project was highly beneficial for my group and I. It allowed for us to gain a better understanding of engineering techniques such as the designing and constructing process of a prototype. These skills that were applied will be used throughout the rest of the year with our capstone project relating to constructing a wireless heating pad. We have already begun the researching and designing process but this project will only improved this process for us. We are looking forward to applying these various skills for the rest of the school year and our lives to come.
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