SolidWorks Rendering of the experimental setup.

SolidWorks Rendering of the experimental setup.

3D DIC of the tricuspid valve

3D DIC of the tricuspid valve

Sequential stain map from a sample data set.

Sequential stain map from a sample data set.

In-Vitro 3D DIC Measurement of Tricuspid Valve Mechanics


I developed a reproducible in-vitro method to quantify 3D deformation and strain of porcine tricuspid valves using stereoscopic digital image correlation (DIC). The approach integrates a custom speckling protocol, synchronized stereo imaging, and a full analysis pipeline from LaVision DaVis to MATLAB.

Methodology

  • Speckle Patterning - Developed a novel method to apply speckle patterning to hydrated tricuspid leaflets.

  • Test Setup - Mounted valves in a water-submerged fixture under calibrated stereo cameras.

  • Disease Model - Applied controlled annular dilations and pressurization to induce regurgitation.

  • Imaging - Captured synchronized stereo image sequences during loading.

  • Data Processing - Reconstructed 3D point clouds in LaVision DaVis and exported to MATLAB for strain analysis and visualization.

Key Contributions

  • Designed and built the experimental setup.

  • Conducted testing, managing all aspects from sample preparation, test execution, and data analysis.

  • Built the full data analysis pipeline from generate 3D strain maps from image sequences.

Impact

This setup provides a novel and repeatable method for quantifying 3D deformation and strain of in-vitro tricuspid valves under varying physiologic conditions, enabling improved understanding of valve mechanics and potential interventions.