The Wyss Institute at Harvard University's team along with the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have been working on a way to create an artificial heart valve. The key is to use a FibraValve technique based on rotary jet spinning. This adds streams of air to pick up synthetic fibers and the team slowly focuses on creating the valve's shape to a precise dimension.
This combats Valvular Heart Disease, which is a condition that prevents the organ from distributing blood flow efficiently through the body. By doing this and applying it properly, it could grow naturally with the body. Co-author Kevin 'Kit' Parker notes in a press release that "Our goal is for the patient’s native cells to use the device as a blueprint to regenerate their own living valve tissue."
Synthetic Fiber Heart Valves
The Wyss Institute at Harvard University Work on an Artificial Heart
Trend Themes
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Artificial Heart Valves — The development of synthetic fiber heart valves presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the field of cardiac surgery and medical devices.
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Fibravalve Technique — The FibraValve technique of using rotary jet spinning to create artificial heart valves offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in advanced manufacturing and bioengineering.
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Regenerative Medicine — The use of synthetic fiber heart valves that can be grown naturally with the body opens up new avenues for disruptive innovation in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Industry Implications
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Cardiac Surgery — The development of synthetic fiber heart valves has the potential to disrupt the cardiac surgery industry by providing more effective and durable solutions for patients with valvular heart disease.
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Medical Devices — The FibraValve technique for creating artificial heart valves has the potential to disrupt the medical devices industry by introducing advanced manufacturing methods and innovative materials.
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Biotechnology — The integration of synthetic fibers in heart valves and the potential for regenerative medicine applications create disruptive innovation opportunities in the biotechnology industry for tissue engineering and organ regeneration.