Development of an Implantable Heart Valve Force Transducer

The objective of this study was to develop a transducer capable of determining the 3D strain and force distribution in heart valves by utilizing strain gauge measurements. It remains to be determined if the optimum solution for repairing mitral valve annular dilatation is a flexible or a rigid ring [1,2]. Mapping the force distribution in the mitral valve is essential to answer this question. The transducer provides the non-physiologic load of the myocardium created when utilizing artificial heart valves and repair devices.