Woven solutions for tissue engineering: Next-generation heart valves from fiber to function.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Textile Technology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, with limited options for durable, patient-specific heart valve replacements.
• Current artificial heart valves often lack optimal mechanical properties and patient-specific adaptability.
• There is a need for innovative, scalable, and customizable solutions for heart valve repair and replacement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biomimetic, textile-based heart valve using advanced 3D weaving techniques.
• To create customizable heart valve solutions with enhanced mechanical properties and scalable production.
• To mimic natural tissue structures for improved cardiovascular applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized advanced 3D weaving with computer-aided design (CAD) workflows and patient-specific imaging.
• Integrated functional materials like shape memory Nitinol wires and polyester.
• Employed tailored binding designs and machine adaptations for multilayer structures and surface treatments.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed a textile-based heart valve implant with integrated leaflets and an annular ring formed during weaving.
• Achieved anatomically accurate and functionally optimized prostheses through a reproducible digital workflow.
• Demonstrated favorable mechanical performance compared to conventional valve designs, with validated pressure behavior and deformation.

Conclusions:

• Fiber and textile technology offers a promising platform for scalable and customizable heart valve tissue engineering.
• The developed biomimetic textile valve shows potential for future biomedical applications in cardiovascular medicine.
• This approach addresses the limitations of current heart valve replacements, paving the way for improved patient outcomes.