Object Details
- Description (Brief)
- This valve used Russian carbon and had many failures. It is a low profile, curved bileaflet valve. It is packaged with a pre-mounted valve holder and instructions for use. The unique curvature of the leaflets is computer designed to reduce turbulence and enhance blood flow. In the full open position, the plane of each leaflet forms an 85 degree angle. The leaflets and orifices are constructed completely of pyrolytic carbon and reinforced by a metal band. The sewing ring is knit Dacron with a silastic filter. There were two recorded instances of leaflet escape in 2002 (pivoting system fracture), which caused one death and one emergency operation. Between 2000 and 2002, 5 of 34 patients who received a TRI Technologies valve died. There were also three cases of thromboembolism, one hemorrhage, and one pari-valvular leak. This rate was high compared to other bileaflet valves on the market. Because TRI’s valve proved to have a high risk of structural failure, TRI halted the implantation of these valves.
- The forms and paper contained within are printed in both English and Portuguese. TRI Technologies is a company located in Brazil.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- TRI Technologies
- date made
- 1998-10
- Credit Line
- Gift of Manuel Villafaña
- Physical Description
- plastic (valve container material)
- paper (container material)
- pyrolytic carbon (valve material)
- dacron (valve material)
- metal (valve material)
- silastic (valve material)
- Measurements
- container: 7.2 cm x 9 cm x 9 cm; 2 27/32 in x 3 17/32 in x 3 17/32 in
- Object Name
- cardiology
- artificial heart valve
