Metal Mesh Scaffold for Tissue Engineering of Membranes

Abstract

Engineering of the membrane-like tissue structures to be utilized in highly dynamic loading environments such as the cardiovascular system has been a challenge in the past decade. Scaffolds are critical components of the engineered tissue membranes and allow them being formed in vitro and remain secure in vivo when implanted in the body. Several approaches have been taken to develop scaffolds for tissue membranes. However, all methods entail limitations due to structural vulnerability, short-term functionality, and mechanical properties of the resulted membrane constructs. To overcome these issues, we have developed a novel hybrid scaffold made of an extra thin layer of metal mesh tightly enclosed by biological matrix components. This approach retains all the advantages of using biological scaffolds while developing a strong extracellular matrix that can stand various types of loads after implantation inside the body.

Load-dependent extracellular matrix organization in atrioventricular heart valves: differences and similarities

“…We believe this study is a first step in analysis of the pathological situations such as in mitral prolapse, myxomatous disease, and other structural AV valve diseases. This may also help in optimizing material properties used in prosthetic or tissue-engineered heart valves (3,4,27).…”

A Hybrid Tissue-Engineered Heart Valve

“…The Nitinol mesh-enclosed leaflets were prepared as described in our previous publication [3]. Briefly, a thin acid-etched, superelastic Nitinol mesh of 25 mm thickness was surface modified and shape-set into the desired leaflet size according to a 21-mm trileaflet valve.…”

“…To overcome these limitations, we approached the problem differently by creating a nondegradable superelastic scaffold that permanently remains and supports the leaflets in contrast to the currently used degradable ones [3]. Through this approach, multilayered hybrid heart valves were developed that are composed of three different cell types arranged in a fashion similar to that of a native valve.…”

Biomaterials for Cardiac Regeneration

“…Alavi and Kheradvar used a fundamentally different approach to the problem by creating a non-degradable superelastic scaffold that permanently remains and supports the leafl ets in contrast to these other degradable scaffolds (Fig. 8.3 ) (Alavi and Kheradvar 2011 ). Through this approach, hybrid leafl ets made of a thin nitinol mesh core tightly enclosed by a uniform tissue layer composed of three different cell types arranged in a similar fashion to a native valve were developed.…”

“…Through this approach, hybrid leafl ets made of a thin nitinol mesh core tightly enclosed by a uniform tissue layer composed of three different cell types arranged in a similar fashion to a native valve were developed. Nitinol was utilized due to its superelastic nature in addition to its superior strain-controlled fatigue performance, which makes it a suitable option for this particular application (Alavi and Kheradvar 2011 ). Human aortic smooth muscle cells and human aortic adventitial fi broblast and myofi broblast cells were used to fulfi ll the role of VIC with human umbilical vascular endothelial cells to act as valvular lining cells.…”