A generalized mathematical representation of the shape of the Wheatley heart valve and the associated static stress fields upon opening and closing

This note extends previous work of the authors modelling the Wheatley valve by using six intersecting and contiguous ellipses to obtain a generalized mathematical representation of the Wheatley valve: this provides a number of free parameters that could be employed to obtain an optimal design. Since optimality is multi-objective with many of the objectives conflicting we focus on the stresses imposed on the valve by a constant force field. Three distinctly different designs are chosen and an analysis of the stresses is undertaken, conclusions are drawn and results are discussed.