Speaker: Prof. Michael Sacks, Director Engineered Tissue Mechanics Laboratory
From: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Time: Monday, April 7, 2003 at 3:30 pm
Place: 316 DeBartolo Hall

Title: Biomechanics of Native and Engineered Heart Valve Tissues

Abstract:
On the most basic functional level, the aortic heart valve is essentially a check-valve that serves to prevent retrograde blood flow from the aorta back into the left ventricle. This seemingly simple function belies the structural complexity, elegant solid-fluid mechanical interaction, and durability necessary for normal aortic valve function. For example, the aortic valve is capable of withstanding 30-40 million cycles per year, resulting in a total of ~3 billion cycles in single lifetime. No valve made from non-living materials has been able to demonstrate comparable functional performance and durability. The purpose of this talk is to present a review of the structure-strength relationships for native, chemically treated, and engineered heart valve tissues. Highlights of the major works in the field have been included, focusing on studies performed in the author's laboratory. This includes the author's collaboration with Dr. John Mayer of Boston Children's Hospital on the development of a TE heart valve for pediatric surgical reconstruction.