Addressing Discrepancies between Experimental and Computational Procedures

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This technical note addresses the need to consider uncertainties when using experimental procedures to extract a geometry that is consequently used for computational simulations. Many uncertainties enter the process in both the experimental and computational techniques. ABSTRACT: Imaging subject-specific heart valve, a crucial step to its design, has experimental variables that if unaccounted for, may lead to erroneous computational analysis and geometric errors of the resulting model. Preparation methods are developed to mitigate some sources of the geometric error. However, the resulting 3D geometry often does not retain the original dimensions before excision. Inverse fluid–structure interaction analysis is used to analyze the resulting geometry and to assess the valve’s closure. Based on the resulting closure, it is determined if the geometry used can yield realistic results. If full closure is not reached, the geometry is adjusted adequately until closure is observed.