solve these limitations associated with artificial heart valves. These heart valves were made with unique biopolymers that are remarkably close to human tissue and may be operated directly into patients’ hearts.
Dr. Cherian noted the breakthrough as a major advance in the field of cardiology/cardiac surgery. He said, “We are happy to announce that we have designed & developed India’s first 3D printed heart valve”. Dr. Cherian highlighted the benefits of new 3D printed heart valves over the traditional valves. He said, “This new 3D printed heart valve could be the future of cardiac surgery, since it overcomes most of the disadvantages / complications associated with the currently available artificial heart valves that are in use today”.
Dr. Cherian teamed up with the Centre for Automation and School of Mechanical Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in Chennai to create the innovative 3D printed heart valve. He noted the advantages of using 3D print heart valves. He said, “Another added advantage of this 3D printed heart valve is that its design was developed using specialised computer-aided design software and a modeling techniques, based on the MRI scan images of the human heart, as a result of which, we are now able to customise and 3D print heart valves that will fit exactly to the dimensions of the patient’s heart”.
Dr. Cherian also indicated that the cost of this innovative heart valve might be substantially lower than the imported heart valves now used in India, especially because it is a made-in-India product. Cherian also expressed his intentions to patent his 3D-printed heart valve and evaluate it for biocompatibility, effectiveness, and long-term durability.
