Leaflet-grouping system

A system for use with a plurality of prosthetic heart valve leaflets, the system comprising:

• a storage array, the storage array comprising:
• a plurality of cells, each cell configured to contain exactly one of the leaflets;
• and
• a plurality of indicators, each of the indicators associated with a corresponding one of the cells;
• and
• circuitry, in communication with the plurality of indicators, and configured to:
• receive a group size value,
• using one or more leaflet-flexibility values that each corresponds to a respective one of the leaflets, designate at least some of the leaflets into leaflet groups, each of the leaflet groups including a number of leaflets equal to the group size value, and
• for each of the leaflet groups, drive the indicators to indicate which of the cells contain leaflets designated the leaflet group.

A method for grouping leaflets for use in prosthetic heart valves, the method comprising:

• positioning each leaflet of a first batch of leaflets opposite an image sensor;
• subsequently, initiating acquisition, by the image sensor, of a first digital image that includes all of the leaflets of the first batch;
• subsequently, removing each leaflet of the first batch to a storage array in a manner that facilitates tracking of an individual identity of each leaflet of the first batch;
• positioning each leaflet of a second batch of leaflets opposite the image sensor;
• subsequently, initiating acquisition, by the image sensor, of a second digital image that includes all of the leaflets of the second batch;
• subsequently, removing the leaflets of the second batch to the storage array in a manner that facilitates tracking of the individual identity of each leaflet of the second batch, thereby assembling the leaflets of the first batch and the leaflets of the second batch into an aggregate of leaflets;
• subsequently, operating software to:
• receive the first digital image and the second digital image,
• by digitally analyzing the first digital image and the second digital image, for each of the leaflets included in the first digital image and the second digital image:
• calculate an image parameter for the leaflet, and
• from the image parameter, derive a leaflet-flexibility value for the leaflet,
• receive a group size value,
• designate at least some of the leaflets of the aggregate of leaflets into one or more designated leaflet groups:
• based on similarity between the respective leaflet-flexibility values of each of the leaflets of the aggregate, and
• such that each of the leaflet groups includes a number of leaflets equal to the group size value, and
• output an indication of the one or more designated leaflet groups;
• and
• in response to the indication, grouping the at least some leaflets of the aggregate of leaflets into the one or more designated leaflet groups.