The main aim of this project is to make a qualitative leap in the treatment of infarcted heart diseases. The majority of treatments of chronic infarcted hearts are pharmaceutical and include the use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) that consist of a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow.

This project will seek to generate customised biological tissue using 3D printing technologies (bioprinting and electrospinning), making it possible to generate a construct with optimal replication of the mechanical properties of the native myocardium and which is capable of delivering signals for alignment with the cardiac cells that will populate it.  These cells will not only provide the ability to contract, they will also form a functional vascular network.

• University of Navarra
• University of Eindhoven
• University of Leuven
• Boston Scientific
• Ibet
• University of Würzburg
• Ibec
• Ebers
• University of Zaragoza
• PNO
• University of Utrecht
• SERMAS
• AE Medicalis

Leartiker has performed the following activities:

• Design and development of a bioreactor that also enables the electromechanical and metabolic maturation of the customised tissue.  The biological ventricular assist device (BioVAD) will deliver lasting functional support to damaged hearts.
• Design and development of the BioVad patient insertion system, together with the medical team.