Polymeric heart valves could represent an attractive alternative to existing prostheses, merging the superior durability of mechanical valves and the enhanced haemodynamic function of bioprosthetic valves.  Recent research at the UCL Centre for Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine has resulted into the development of a novel biocompatibile and biostable  material based on nanocomposite polymers (POSS–PCU), which have resulted suitable for heart valve applications.  This has been adopted on a new valve device, whose innovative design strategy has resulted in improved hydrodynamic performances and reduced stress levels.   The reproducibility of the valve was improved by an automated dip-coating procedure.

                       

In vitro tests have confirmed the enhanced hydrodynamic function of the new valve, and high-cycle accelerated tests to assess the the life-time durability of the device are on-going.

Current results suggest that the proposed design, together with the advanced POSS–PCU nanocomposite material, can represent a promising breakthrough in the development of polymeric heart valves with potential clinical application.

MAIN RELATED PUBLICATIONS

Rahmani, B., Tzamtzis, S., Ghanbari, H., Burriesci, G., Seifalian, A. M. (2012). A novel aortic valve prosthesis made of a new nanocomposite polymer: hydrodynamic assessment. Cardiology 121(2) 132-133.

Rahmani, B., Tzamtzis, S., Ghanbari, H., Burriesci, G., Seifalian, A. M. (2012). Manufacturing and hydrodynamic assessment of a novel aortic valve made of a new nanocomposite polymer. J Biomech  45, 1205-1211.

Burriesci, G., Cavallo Marincola, F., Zervides, C. (2010). Design of a novel polymeric heart valve. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology , 34(1), 7-22.

Ghanbari, H., Viatge, H., Kidane, A. G., Burriesci, G., Tavakoli, M., Seifalian, A. M. (2009). Polymeric heart valves: New emerging hopes.. Trends in Biotechnology  27(6), 329-384.

Kidane, A. G., Burriesci, G., Edirisinghe, M., Ghanbari, H., Bonhoeffer, P., Seifalian, A. M. (2009). A novel nanocomposite polymer for development of synthetic heart valve leaflets. Acta Biomaterialia  5(7), 2409-2417.

Development of a

Polymeric Heart Valve

a novel synthetic leaflets heart valve

joining the advantages of mechanical and biological prostheses