Spatially Heterogeneous Tubular Scaffolds for In Situ Heart Valve Tissue Engineering Using Melt Electrowriting

Heart valve tissue engineering (HVTE) aims to provide living autologous heart implants endowed with regenerative capabilities and life-long durability. However, fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds capable providing the required functionality in terms mechanical performance tunable porosity enable cellular infiltration remains a major challenge. Here, additive manufacturing bioinspired, spatially heterogeneous, tubular enclosing leaflets, inter-leaflet triangles, their interface for situ HVTE using melt electrowriting (MEW) is demonstrated. The innovative platform enables digital ad hoc architecture (e.g., location, specific fiber pattern, orientation) customizable geometry via custom-made control software. user-friendly allows definition areas scaffold patterns obtain properties such as J-shaped stress–stain curve anisotropy typical leaflet, compliant reinforced curvilinear boundary between them. Heterogeneous, tubular, MEW are then embedded microporous elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) hydrogel develop soft-network composite favoring cell ensuring hemocompatibility. acute systolic hemodynamic MEW/ELR satisfies ISO 5840 requirements, under aortic pulmonary conditions.