Shape Optimization of Aortic Valve Grafts formed by In-Body Tissue Architecture using Fluid Structure Analysis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K20174
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Asahikawa Medical College
• Principal Investigator: Terazawa Takeshi 旭川医科大学, 先進医工学研究センター, 講師 (20815401)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 人工心臓弁 / 自己組織心臓弁 / 組織工学 / 生体内組織形成術 / 心臓弁膜症 / 構造解析 / 先天性心疾患

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to develop a technology for creating autologous tissue heart valves in-body tissue architecture to address the challenges of existing artificial heart valves, such as need for lifelong anticoagulant therapy and durability issues. To determine an optimal valve shape with both clinical strength and function, two types of in-body molds for valve formation were newly designed: one for the OPEN (open) state and one for the CLOSED (closed) state. Evaluation through animal experiments revealed that the OPEN mold resulted a higher tissue formation rate. Although the OPEN mold presented a challenges with regurgitation during valve closure, structural analysis showed that optimizing the shape near the valve commissures could effectively reduce this issue. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the establishment of a design method for autologous tissue heart valves that can be safely used in clinical settings.

Free Research Field

生体医工学・組織工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究を通じて、生体内で弁機能と強度を兼ね備えた移植用心臓弁の形成が可能であることが示された。また、弁形成のために生体内に留置される基材の設計法として、基材に設けられた細胞導入経路の長さが良好な組織形成に寄与していることが明らかとなった。この知見は、他の移植用組織体の形成にも応用できる知見であり学術的な意義があると考えられる。自己組織心臓弁の開発により、抗凝固薬の生涯服用が不要になるだけでなく、弁の耐久性向上による再手術の減少や、患者の生活の質(QOL)の向上が期待される。これにより、医療費削減や患者の健康改善に貢献し、社会的意義も大きい。