Combining 3D-Printing and Electrospinning to Manufacture Biomimetic Heart Valve LeafletsBenedikt Freystetter 1, Maximilian Grab 1,2, Linda Grefen 1, Lara Bischof 1, Lorenz Isert 3, Petra Mela 2, Deon Bezuidenhout 4, Christian Hagl 1,5, Nikolaus Thierfelder 1
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 2Chair of Medical Materials and Implants, Technical University Munich, 3Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 4Cardiovascular Research Unit, University of Cape Town, 5DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance
The presented method offers an innovative way for engineering biomimetic fiber structures in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds (e.g., heart valve leaflets). 3D-printed, conductive geometries were used to determine shape and dimensions. Fiber orientation and characteristics were individually adjustable for each layer. Multiple samples could be manufactured in one setup.
