Synthetic heart valve growing with person shows promise for children

Researchers have developed a promising synthetic heart valve that could also be used for growing children. Harvard’s SEAS division recently announced a synthetic heart valve they named FibraValve. This implant can be fabricated in minutes using the spun fiber method, which allows them to microscopically shape the delicate wings of the valve, ready to be colonized by the patient’s living cells and grow with them as they mature.

Produced in minutes and integrates with the patient

In a test the researchers conducted on a live sheep, it is stated that FibraValve started working immediately and the leaflets opened and closed, allowing blood to flow with each heartbeat. In addition, it was observed that red and white blood cells and fibrin protein were collected in the skeleton of the valve within the first hour. Scientists say the synthetic valve shows no signs of damage or other problems.

Researchers have gone one step up the ladder to make FibraValve possible. JetValve, the artificial heart valve the team developed in 2017 and using many of the same principles, essentially paved the way for FibraValve. The updated version uses a new method called FRJS (focused rotary jet spinning). As a result, it is possible to customize the polymer material used down to the nanoscale. The technique also uses a “new, proprietary polymer material” called PLCL (a combination of polycaprolactone and polylactic acid), which can last for about six months in the patient’s body. Thanks to this material, the necessary time is obtained for the patient’s cells to infiltrate and integrate into the synthetic valve.

critical for children

“This approach to heart valve replacement could improve children’s lives by opening the door to customized medical implants that regenerate and grow with the patient,” said study co-author Michael Peters in a press release.

The research is still in its preliminary stages, and the team plans to conduct longer-term animal testing over weeks and months for further evaluation. However, they believe their invention may eventually find other uses, including creating different valves, heart patches, and blood vessels.