Although heart valve replacement has successfully treated structural heart disease for decades, there is a need for a durable valve with lower risk of complications. Mechanical valves are durable, lasting 30 years or longer, but require invasive, open–heart surgery and life-long anti-coagulation to prevent blood clotting. Alternatively, biological valves, with flexible leaflets made from chemically fixed animal tissue are less robust, lasting only 12-15 years. More recently, surgical aortic valves have been replaced by transcatheter valve with the same flexible leaflet tissue sewn on collapsible stents. These new transcatheter tissue valves are as limited in their durability as their surgically-placed counterparts with additional problems associated with blood clots and high rate of leakage (20-30% with mild or greater leak).
YoungHeartValve is developing the next technology curve of transcatheter artificial heart valves. Our unique, patented polymer-based leaflet and built for purpose stent, removes the need for harvesting pericardium, and produces a heart valve that is biocompatible, far more durable than tissue-based valves, and does not require the need for long-term anticoagulation patient therapy.
Our transcatheter aortic valve replacement technology includes a unique system for mounting leaflets on the stent to avoid the tedious hand-sewing of tissue valves. Our flexible leaflets are made from a durable engineering plastic that is molecularly interpenetrated with a natural biomolecule that prevents blood clotting, avoiding the need for life-long anticoagulation therapy, and prevents the calcification mechanisms that cause failure of tissue valves. Our laboratory and animal studies demonstrate that our transcatheter aortic valves function better than the commercial gold standard valves, causing less blood flow turbulence and stress. Animal studies have proven the feasibility of transcatheter delivery and after 6-months in juvenile sheep show no signs of blood clotting or calcification.
Inspired by nature and perfected by Young Heart Valve engineers, the Rejuvenate™ Transcatheter Aortic Valve combines the gold-standard hemodynamics of bioprosthetic TAVR’s with the longevity of mechanical surgical valves.
Polyethylene leaflets are treated with hyaluronic acid to form a robust interpenetrating polymer network. Hyaluronan is found in native heart valve leaflets and in the glycocalyx of blood vessels. This unique material prevents thrombosis and calcification.
The thermoplastic polymer can be shaped to match native leaflet curvature providing superior hemodynamics when compared to bioprosthetic valves.
By eliminating animal tissue and extensive suturing from our product the Rejuvenate ValveTM will cost a fraction of current products opening markets in countries such as China and India.
YoungHeartValveTM are investigational, not for clinical use, and not available for sale.
Next generation heart valve technology inspired by nature and perfected by engineers.
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