Program for the development and construction of mechanical heart valves and from bovine pericardium

• Grant number: 96/02455-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Partnership for Technological Innovation - PITE
• Start date: January 01, 1997
• End date: February 28, 1999
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Gilberto Goissis
• Grantee: Gilberto Goissis
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Company: Braile Biomedica Indústria, Comércio e Representações Ltda
• City: São Carlos

Abstract

Heart valves are vulnerable to pathologies of several etiologies that severely jeopardize the cardiovascular system. Solutions for these complications generally include valve replacements using mechanical or biological prostheses. Developments in this area have been directed towards improved performance and durability of both kinds of prosthesis (they are suitable for specific situations). In the case of mechanical prostheses, there are no domestic manufacturers nor does the necessary technology exist in Brazil: the development of this technology was one of the targets of this project. In the case of bioprostheses, the objective of this work was to develop new techniques for reticulating the bovine pericardium. The expectation was to achieve more homogenous materials, resulting in significant improvements in the mechanical and biological properties. For mechanical valves, the main objective was to try to meet the repressed market demand, which is associated with the scientific and technological challenge of making a structure in titanium alloys, covered with carbonous materials, widely used in orthopedic prostheses, in association with a covering of hemocompatible materials, in particular collagen. (AU)