When it comes to 3D printing, the sky is the limit. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, applications can be as far reaching as airplane and automobile parts to medical devices and even anatomically correct, biocompatible models. Although 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace, the technology itself is not new. It emerged in the 1980s as a means of creating rapid prototypes. In recent years the applications for 3D printed models have evolved with the available hardware, software, and printable materials. Evolving technology, paired with the creative and innovative minds of scientists, engineers, and physicians, has been the launching pad for developments within 3D printing technology specific to healthcare. One way 3D printing technology is poised to create better patient outcomes is in creating an anatomically and patient-specific models to aid in surgery and medical procedures. With the capability to 3D ...
During conventional heart valve surgery, doctors cut through the patient’s sternum, stop the heart, and send the blood through a heart-lung bypass machine while they do the repair. Sound like there is some risk involved? Absolutely. Beyond the potential for infection, stroke, heart attack, arrhythmia, and renal failure, about 5% of patients die before the open heart surgery is completed.
However, a minimally invasive procedure called transapical aortic valve implantation may replace the conventional surgery. And that procedure is possible thanks to two new plastic valves that can prop open diseased valves and are inserted with a catheter that passes through arteries.
Doug Smock writes for PlasticsToday:
The most advanced is the Sapien Heart Valve from Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (Irvine, CA), which was launched for inoperable patients in the U.S. last year. According to a patent application, a liner and tubing in the heart valve are made of a nylon block copolymer while a coil is produced from stainless steel. Bovine tissue is also used….The polyamides in the Sapien heart valve are usually based upon nylon-11 but may be based upon nylons 6 of nylon-6,6 or even a copolymer such as nylon-6/nylon-11. The polymers range in hardness as measured in durometer from Shore A 60 to Shore D72.
The Sapien valve is still undergoing trials in the U.S., but last month, Edwards Lifesciences announced positive results for high-risk surgical patients with severe aortic disease that had undergone valve replacement with the new procedure.
Smock also reported on a feasibility and prototype study for a fiber-based heart valve. DSM and University Medical Center Utrecht (The Netherlands) “will develop and evaluate a prototype of a non-biological supportive scaffold for the minimally invasive treatment of vascular diseases using Dyneema Purity fiber,” which is made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, Smock writes.
“UMC Utrecht says it chose Dyneema for designing heart valve and blood vessel wound closure devices because of their strength, high flex fatigue resistance, low elongation, minimal profile and tear resistant properties,” he adds.
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