Computer based analysis of defective artificial heart valves

Describes the development of a system to analyse X-ray images of artificial heart valves and to detect whether the valve is malfunctioning. The image processing techniques used in the system are straight forward but the potential benefits are great. The method currently employed to detect functional abnormalities of the valve is to x-ray it in operation and record the results on cine film. This can be replayed frame by frame to show the point when the valve is fully open or fully closed. A visual assessment is made to determine whether the valve is being obstructed from fully opening or closing by a clot; or indeed if the angle of opening is too great in the case of mechanical fatigue. The aim of the new system is to calculate accurately the angle of the disk to the valve ring when fully open and hence to ascertain if there is a problem