Continuous flow system for the testing of the mitral valve of the heart

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices for introducing media in a human body and in particular to a continuous flow system for the intraoperative testing of the mitral valve of a patient s heart, comprising an air supply unit (1), a pressurized bag (5) connected to the air supply unit (1) via an air supply line (4) and surrounding a vessel (6) containing normal saline solution in an air tight manner, the air supply line (4) having a first three way valve (3) to allow air supply or venting, a delivery line (7) having a liquid supply orifice (10) and a flow control clamp (8) to control the saline solution supply. The continuous flow system of the present invention allows objective, quantitative, reproducible and continuous intraoperative evaluation of the adequacy of the mitral valve of a patient s heart under controlled and stable flow and pressure conditions.