and is connected through a subcutaneous tunnel to an access valve constructed of stainless steel and a titanium alloy (Figure 1). The valve is approximately 2.5 cm in diameter and 0.7 cm in height.

The island flap, with its neurovascular pedicle, is drawn through this subcutaneous tunnel. The flap is sutured in place, and a thick, split-thickness skin graft is applied to the defect in the ...

Excessive mobility of the driveline delays healing and incorporation of the driveline in the subcutaneous tunnel. For this project, Team 13 developed an improved method to secure an LVAD driveline.