Despite the rapid growth of the field, designing TAVs using polymeric leaflets is still in its early stage and most devices are in the investigational phase . No polymeric TAVs have entered and advanced beyond clinical trials, and none incorporate a biomolecule (such as ours) to enhance hemocompatiblity. We developed a balloon expandable cobalt chromium (CoCr- MP35N) stent using CAD and laser cutting to assemble polymeric heart valves from hyaluronan enhanced linearly low density polyethylene (HA-LLDPE) leaflets. The current goals involve optimizing the valve design to minimize leaflet stress distribution under peak diastolic load. Varying the dimensions of the stent, the internal stress can be reduced, thus prolonging durability. A parametric study is being developed; which consists of computational modeling, finite element analysis, in vitro accelerated wear testing, and hemodynamic flow experiment. Incorporate shock absorbers into the valve is also being considered. A combination of the optimized stent design and load absorbing material is expected to improve the design of the device.
Selected Publications
- Heitkemper, M., Hatoum, H. and Dasi, L.P., 2019. In vitro hemodynamic assessment of a novel polymeric transcatheter aortic valve. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials, 98, pp.163-171.
- SimonâWalker, R., Cavicchia, J., Prawel, D.A., Dasi, L.P., James, S.P. and Popat, K.C., 2018. Hemocompatibility of hyaluronan enhanced linear low density polyethylene for blood contacting applications. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials, 106(5), pp.1964-1975.
- Prawel, D.A., Dean, H., Forleo, M., Lewis, N., Gangwish, J., Popat, K.C., Dasi, L.P. and James, S.P., 2014. Hemocompatibility and hemodynamics of novel hyaluronanâpolyethylene materials for flexible heart valve leaflets. Cardiovascular engineering and technology, 5(1), pp.70-81.