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Tissue engineering: complete autologous valve conduit--a new moulding technique
S Jockenhoevel1, K Chalabi, J S Sachweh
1Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52974 Aachen, Germany. stjocki@yahoo.com
Objective:
The use of fibrin gel, which can be produced from patients' blood, was investigated as an autologous, biodegradable scaffold. A new moulding technique was developed to create a complete aortic root.
Methods:
A new moulding technique was generated for the creation of complete valve conduit. On the basis of biomechanical valve design studies, a tricuspid "ventricular" and "aortic" stamp were developed. A silicone-coated aluminum cylinder was used to circumferentially limit the mould. The cell/gel suspension was filled into the mould and polymerization was started.
Results:
The creation of complex structures such as complete valve conduits is possible with the moulding technique described. With a layer thickness of up to 2 mm, histological investigations showed excellent tissue development with viable fibroblasts surrounded by collagen bundles.
Conclusion:
Fibrin gel unifies many properties of an ideal scaffold: The formation of complex structures is possible, the degradation and polymerization is controllable and the formation of the extracellular matrix is excellent.
