Development of warfarin-free mechanical heart valve using DLC coating

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18184
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55030:Cardiovascular surgery-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Etou Kohki 岡山大学, 医学部, 客員研究員 (70637157)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Diamond-like carbon / 血液適合性 / 人工弁 / カルボキシル基 / 生体模倣 / 親水性 / ゼータポテンシャル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have successfully achieved three-dimensional coating of DLC on the valve leaflet of the SJM mechanical valve. Platelet adhesion tests, fibrinogen tests, and albumin adhesion tests were conducted repeatedly. The platelet adhesion with DLC clearly decreased, while the albumin adhesion showed a clear increase. Initially, it was suspected that fibrinogen adhesion would decrease, but through repeated experiments, it was concluded that the adhesion actually increased. The increased fibrinogen adhesion indicates a decrease in blood compatibility, so we are currently working on improving the DLC. Additionally, due to facility constraints, we were unable to obtain the cooperation of perfusionists, so we established an in-vitro evaluation system and developed the necessary equipment. The current blood compatibility of DLC was comprehensively evaluated, including whole blood contact, and the results were accepted in Sci Rep.

Free Research Field

心臓血管外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々の育成するDLCの特性があきらかになった。DLCは炭素結合の種類の比率、水素含量、原子の密度でかなり性質が異なる事が明らかになった。我々のDLCはこれまでにない、柔らかく、樹脂に適したDLCであることが分かった。酸素含量の調整による、親水性、ゼータポテンシャルの変化のデータを取得できた。また、血液適合性については当初の予想通りの圧倒的な血液適合性は得られなかったが、本研究と他の研究で得られた知見をまとめて、Scientific Reportに論文を提出、現在2度目のReviseを行い結果待ちである。また、人工弁のIn-Vitro評価装置を開発し、次のステップに繋げることが可能となった。