Abstract
The generation of high-resolution models of human hearts post-implantation is a very important tool for ultimately improving device designs and one's understanding of clinical outcomes. Cardiac device designs are always evolving and such is critical for ongoing treatment of specific cardiac diseases and abnormalities. A micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanner was used to generate high-resolution, 3-dimensional scans of perfusion-fixed human hearts that contained previously implanted devices. Following scanning, the generation of high-resolution computational models, >90 microns, allowed for visualization of the device-tissue interfaces as well as the creation of various 3-D prints. The post-implantation device-tissue interactions down to 10 microns could be analyzed. For this project, we aimed to collect optimal scanning parameters for each heart, which in turn could be used in future studies to guide more efficient and targeted imaging. The scanning parameters included voltage, current, and frames per second. They were specific to and varied between hearts containing stents, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), and aortic valve replacements. This unique database should aid in the understanding of these device-tissue interactions by clinicians, students, and medical device designers.
