Abstract
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a silent killer, with millions of fatalities worldwide and a higher rate occurring during the COVID 19 pandemic. DVT frequently starts as a thrombus in a venous valve pocket, typically in a person’s leg, with minimal-to-no manifestations in the beginning. The venous valve pockets reside behind a pair of leaflets. Working with the muscular system, they prevent the reverse/backward blood flow and promote normal venous blood flow from an extremity to the right heart. It is known that leaflet morphology plays an important role in valve function; however, the effects of leaflet damage on valve function have not been fully explored. This paper discusses an experimental model designed to investigate the role of normal and abnormal leaflet morphology on venous valve function. This is accomplished using a 3D printed valve modeled after arthroscopic images and flow conditions observed in human cadaveric veins. The visualization and evaluation of flow through the model 3D printed venous valve are subjected to qualitative and quantitative assessment to evaluate flow through the valve and trapping of fluid in the valve pocket.
