3D printing of heart valves

Michael J Vernon; Petra Mela; Rodney J Dilley; Shirley Jansen; Barry J Doyle; Abdul R Ihdayhid; Elena M De-Juan-Pardo

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.11.001

3D printing of heart valves

Trends Biotechnol. 2024 Jan 17:S0167-7799(23)00323-2. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.11.001. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Michael J Vernon¹, Petra Mela², Rodney J Dilley³, Shirley Jansen⁴, Barry J Doyle⁵, Abdul R Ihdayhid⁶, Elena M De-Juan-Pardo⁷

Affiliations

¹ T3mPLATE, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Vascular Engineering Laboratory, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
² Medical Materials and Implants, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering and TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748 Garching, Germany.
³ T3mPLATE, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
⁴ Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia; School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Heart and Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
⁵ Vascular Engineering Laboratory, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
⁶ T3mPLATE, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
⁷ T3mPLATE, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre and University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia. Electronic address: elena.juanpardo@uwa.edu.au.

PMID: 38238246
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.11.001

Abstract

3D printing technologies have the potential to revolutionize the manufacture of heart valves through the ability to create bespoke, complex constructs. In light of recent technological advances, we review the progress made towards 3D printing of heart valves, focusing on studies that have utilised these technologies beyond manufacturing patient-specific moulds. We first overview the key requirements of a heart valve to assess functionality. We then present the 3D printing technologies used to engineer heart valves. By referencing International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Standard 5840 (Cardiovascular implants - Cardiac valve prostheses), we provide insight into the achieved functionality of these valves. Overall, 3D printing promises to have a significant positive impact on the creation of artificial heart valves and potentially unlock full complex functionality.

Keywords: 3D printing; additive manufacturing; heart valves; polymeric heart valves; tissue-engineered heart valves.

Publication types

Review