Nanocomposites and Electrohydrodynamic Forming: The new route for the development and construction of biocompatible cardiac valves

该提案汇集了高度先进但仍在探索的建模工作，这些工作已经导致了初步的原型设计。这是一种新的三扇形三对称瓣膜，血流量极高。在项目的使用寿命期间，该有限元分析将继续改进所需的精确模量和瓣叶厚度，以实现最高的流体动力学性能。将通过掺入不同POSS笼的混合物来进一步改进以POSS纳米笼形式使用倍半硅氧烷设计的纳米复合材料，以进一步改善对该项目的临床成功至关重要的抗钙化和/感染特性。通过使用EHDA，可以实现以前通过常规技术（例如浸涂）在准确性和定量可重复性方面不可能实现的小叶处理。通过增加一个专门的临床设施，在将机械和无细胞瓣膜植入幼儿体内方面拥有超过30年的经验，建立了一个独特的生成和基础设施，这对项目的最终成功至关重要。每个中心都是各自领域的世界领导者，初步工作表明，这三个小组可以很好地合作。由此产生的高度跨学科的三方小组允许独特的思想和新颖的概念，否则无法实现的交叉施肥。因此，我们认为所需的资源不多，该项目有明确的成功机会实现其所有既定目标。总之，考虑到儿童需求设计的心脏瓣膜的新原型工作设计是本项目的终点，因此可以在项目结束时开始体内试验和可能有限的临床试验。

This proposal brings together highly advanced but still exploratory modelling work that has already resulted in a preliminary prototype design. This is a new three scallop tri-symmetric valve whereby the blood flow is extremely high. During the lifetime of the project this finite element analysis will continue to develop improvements in the exact modulus required and leaflet thickness to achieve the highest hydrodynamic performance possible. The nanocomposite designed with silsequioxane in the form of POSS nanocages will be further improved by incorporation of mixtures of different POSS cages in order to result in further improvements in the anti-calcification and /infection properties critical to the clinical success of the project. By usage of EHDA leaflet processing can be achieved that has previously not been possible by conventional techniques such as dip coating in terms of accuracy and quantitative repeatability. By the addition of a dedicated clinical facility with over thirty years experience in implantation of both mechanical and acellular valves into young children a unique engenderment and infra-structure is established critical to the ultimate success of the project. Each centre is a world leader in their respective field and preliminary work has shown that the three groups can work together well. This resulting highly inter-disciplinary tri-partite group allows unique cross-fertilisation of ideas and novel concepts otherwise not achievable. We feel therefore for the modest resources required that the project has a clearly defined chance of success in achieving all of its stated aims. In summary a new prototype working design of heart valve designed with children's needs in mind is the endpoint of this project so that in vivo trials and possibly limited clinical trials can start at the end of the project.