Breakthrough is a game changer in heart valve technology

Dr. Mohammadi, an Associate Professor with the School of Engineering, says their latest work, dubbed the iValve, is their most advanced yet and combines the most effective of each technologies — mechanical and tissue — in terms of alternative heart valves.

“Tissue valves generally perform higher than mechanical valves due to their shape, but last only 15 to twenty years on average, which might require one other alternative. Mechanical valves can last a lifetime, but don’t perform in addition to tissue valves, requiring patients to take day by day anticoagulants,” says Dr. Mohammadi.

“We’ve produced a brand new mechanical heart valve that mixes the most effective of each worlds — offering the performance of tissue valves with the long-lasting durability of mechanical valves. We consider this valve could make life easier and safer for patients,” he adds.

The breakthrough valve was made possible through a global collaboration with ViVitro Labs and independent consultants Lawrence Scotten and Rolland Siegel. The research was funded by Angeleno Medical and published this month within the Journal of Biomechanics.

“That is the one valve of its kind to be designed and in-built Canada,” notes Dr. Mohammadi. “We’re incredibly happy with this valve for instance of the engineering innovation coming from UBC and Canada.”

Dr. Mohammadi also says while mechanical heart valve replacements have long been in use, the long-standing challenge has been to perfect the technology for the smallest hearts — tiny infants.

“What is especially exciting concerning the iValve, is that it was specifically designed for high-heart-rate applications, corresponding to in pediatric patients,” explains Dr. Mohammadi.

Now that their prototype performs well in mechanical lab tests, the researchers will bring it to animal and clinical trials. If all goes well, they hope the iValve might be ready for those trials inside two years.

Within the meantime, they may also be using the technology and techniques to develop latest valves.

“This valve is designed to permit blood flow to the aorta, which is the body’s largest artery, and the blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the guts throughout your body,” explains Mohammadi. “Next, we are going to take what now we have learned and develop one for the mitral valve. That valve is liable for ensuring that blood flows out of your left atrium to your left ventricle. It also ensures that blood doesn’t flow backward between those two chambers.”

Heart Valve Performance Lab Manager Dr. Dylan Goode is worked up about what the long run holds for the iValve — and for the advantages it could bring to patients.

Dr. Goode began working with Dr. Mohammadi in 2018 while completing his Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering. Recently, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, which documents his design work, fabrication and testing of the iValve.

“We’ve shown that the iValve can provide the structural advantages of a mechanical heart valve and last a patient’s lifespan while providing improved hemodynamic performance, meaning an improvement of the best way wherein blood flows through vessels.”

Dr. Goode notes the brand new iValve could also mean a serious improvement in lifestyle for these patients who endure a routine of normal anticoagulant therapy — blood thinners — which might increase their risk of severe bleeding, blood clots or damage to tissues and organs if blood flow is impeded.