Bioprosthetic Heart Valves can replace defective or diseased heart valves, but a majority of these valves fail within a few years due to calcification and degeneration. Currently used methods of fixation, such as glutaraldehyde crosslinking, are not adequate to fix all extracellular matrix components, especially glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) present in the middle spongiosa layer. This technology presents methods for improving the structural and mechanical characteristics of implantable tissue as well as methods for increasing the lifespan of the implantable heart valve tissue.
Application Stage of Development
Vascular Implants, Engineered Tissues Pre-Clinical Validation, In vitro data, In vivo data
Advantages
• Improves the structural and mechanical characteristics of the implantable tissue
• Increases the lifespan of implantable tissue and its resistance to degradation
• Increases levels of beneficial extra cellular matrix components remaining in the stabilized implantable tissues
Technical Summary
This technology features a novel improvement of bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs). This technology is a new method for fixation of BHVs derived from porcine aortic valves. More specifically, these methods can include the bonding of one or more enzyme inhibitors in or on tissue in the course of a stabilization process. Through these methods, implantable tissue can be stabilized and can exhibit increased resistance to degradation, specifically, degradation due to enzyme activity following implantation of the tissues. These methods can lead to increased levels of beneficial extra cellular matrix components remaining in the stabilized implantable tissues as compared to previously known stabilized implantable tissues. Increased levels of such components can further improve the implantable tissues through improved mechanical characteristics and can also lead to a longer lifespan of a bioprosthesis.
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Inventor: Dr. Naren Vyavahare
Patent Type: Issued Patent
Serial Number: N/A
Patent Number: 8,142,805
CURF Ref No: 07-012