3D Tissue-Engineered Heart Valve Mold and Scaffold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heart valve replacements, such as pig heart valves, are subject to rejection and require frequent replacement, highlighting the need for a more biologically compatible and durable solution that can be grown in three dimensions to mimic natural tissue layers.
Innovation Solution
A mold and process for shaping and securing cells and tissue layers in three dimensions using a scaffold, with a heart valve-shaped protrusion and recesses, allowing for the sequential addition of smooth muscle, fibroblast/myofibroblast, and endothelial cells to form a tissue-engineered heart valve that resembles natural tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pig heart valves are used for replacement, then the valve can be surgically implanted and is functionally operable, but the valve is subject to rejection and requires replacement over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the biological parameters of the valve by using human tissue cells (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts) instead of pig tissue, fundamentally altering the tissue composition to match human physiology and eliminate rejection issues
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite tissue structure by combining multiple cell types (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts) with extracellular matrix components to form a multi-layered valve structure that mimics natural human tissue composition
2Reliability
If a heart valve is grown in three-dimensions with appropriate cell and tissue layers, then the valve will closely resemble the human heart valve and reduce rejection likelihood, but the process of generating such a valve is problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the valve construction into distinct layers (endothelial layer, smooth muscle layer, fibrous layer) that can be grown and assembled separately, allowing each layer to be optimized independently and simplifying the overall manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary actions by first establishing a scaffold structure and then sequentially seeding different cell types in a controlled manner, preparing each layer before adding the next, which simplifies the complex process of growing multi-layered tissue
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple solutions of cells are introduced sequentially to form tissue layers, then a heart valve similar to natural tissue is formed, but the process requires precise control of incubation and layer formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a nested structure where inner layers (endothelial cells) are formed first, then subsequent layers (smooth muscle, fibrous) are added around them, similar to nested dolls, allowing complex multi-layered tissue to be built from simple sequential steps
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heart valve and, more particularly, to a mold and process shaping and securing cells and tissue layers as they are grown in three-dimensions into a heart valve.