Cutting–Edge Biotechnology puts India on the World Map- India’s First 3-D Printed Heart Valve
Chennai, 17th August, 2021: Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world today, with several thousands of patients requiring heart valve replacement surgery every year.
The currently available artificial heart valves are either
made of metal components (mechanical), or from animal tissues (bioprosthetic),
each with its own disadvantages / complications, such as the risk of blood clot
formation, valve failure due to degeneration, valve infection, the need for
long-term blood thinner medications, etc.
With the recent advances in technology & research-led
innovation, the scope of using 3D printing to design new heart valves that could
overcome these problems related to artificial heart valves, was proposed by Chennai-based
Heart Surgeon, Dr. Sanjay Cherian.
“We have been doing extensive research on the concept of 3D
printing in the field of Medicine. Earlier, 3D printing was used to plan the
surgical approach, especially for complex procedures, in order to help cardiac surgeons
& cardiologists to navigate & choose the best approach to treat heart
diseases. This time, we focused our efforts on using 3D printers to manufacture
heart valves using specialized biopolymers that are very similar to human
tissue, which can be directly implanted in heart patients”.
“We are happy to
announce that we have designed & developed India’s first 3D printed heart
valve” said Dr. Sanjay Cherian.
A working prototype of the new 3D printed heart valve was
displayed by Dr. Sanjay Cherian.
This new 3D printed heart
valve could be the future of cardiac surgery, since it overcomes most of the
disadvantages/complications associated with the currently available artificial heart
valves that are in use today.”
This scientific innovation is a giant leap in the field of cardiology/cardiac
surgery, and was undertaken in collaboration with the Centre for Automation and
School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT),
Chennai.
“Another added
advantage of this 3D printed heart valve is that its design was developed using
specialized computer-aided design software & modeling techniques, based on
the MRI scan images of the human heart, as a result of which, we are now able
to customize & 3D print heart valves that will fit exactly to the
dimensions of the patient’s heart” said Dr. Sanjay.
Especially since it is
“Made in India”, the cost of this novel heart valve could be much lower than
that of the imported heart valves that are currently used in India.
We are now in the process of patenting this 3D printed heart
valve, and testing it to confirm its bio-compatibility, efficacy &
durability.
