From Fiber Architecture to Functional Attachment: A Clinically Relevant, Mechanically Tunable Cardiac Patch
Abstract
ABSTRACT Contractile engineered cardiac patches hold great potential for treating myocardial infarction, serving as biological ventricular assist devices (BioVADs). However, optimal design and attachment of cardiac patches remain insufficiently explored, although both are essential for the mechanical support of damaged hearts. This study presents a platform for personalized macroscale patches with a multi‐zonal microarchitecture combining a regenerative zone for cell alignment, a stiff force transmission zone for load transfer, and an elastic attachment zone enabling integration. Based on computational modeling, the design is implemented using a custom G‐code generator for melt electrowriting (MEW). Digital image correlation reveals up to a 2.6‐fold strain difference between scaffold zones under physiological deformation, confirming zonal interplay. Biaxial testing with preconditioning shows scaffold mechanics replicating native myocardium properties up to 10% strain. For epicardial suture attachment, a reinforced outline enables shape‐morphing and increases suture retention 2.16‐fold. Dynamic BioVAD cultivation with fibrin‐embedded cardiomyocytes significantly (p = 0.01) improves cell alignment versus controls. Finally, in a porcine myocardial infarction model, the BioVAD achieves complete epicardial attachment and vascular ingrowth within 7 days, compared to partial attachment in controls. This study highlights MEW as a versatile platform for tailoring cardiac scaffold mechanics to support tissue integration and cardiac function.
Article Details
Authors (32)
Johannes Braig
University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
Ross Kent
Hematology and Cell Therapy Area Clínica Universidad de Navarra and Cancer Center Clínica Universidad De Navarra (CCUN) Pamplona Spain
Ainitze Gereka Goienetxe
Hematology and Cell Therapy Area Clínica Universidad de Navarra and Cancer Center Clínica Universidad De Navarra (CCUN) Pamplona Spain
Nicolás Laita
Aragón Institute for Engineering Research (I3A) University of Zaragoza Zaragoza Spain
Ming Wu
Miguel Ángel Martínez
Margarida Serra
iBET Instituto De Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica Oeiras Portugal
Koen Janssens
AXIS Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy laboratory, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
Uzuri Urtaza
Health Spezialization Leartiker S.Coop. Markina‐Xemein Spain
Eduardo Larequi
Cima Universidad de Navarra, and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
Ilazki Anaut‐Lusar
Biomedical Engineering Program Technological Innovation Division Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria De Navarra (IdiSNA) Pamplona Spain
Hilde Gillijns
KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Michiel Algoet
KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Britt van Kerkhof
Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
Maite van der Knaap
Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
Gerardo Cedillo‐Servin
Department of Orthopedics Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands
Miguel Castilho
Biomaterial Engineering & Biofabrication Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
Alain van Mil
Joost P. G. Sluijter
Jos Malda
Piet Claus
Peter H. M. Bovendeerd
Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
Estefanía Peña
Aragón Institute for Engineering Research (I3A) University of Zaragoza Zaragoza Spain
Manuel Doblare
Aragón Institute for Engineering Research (I3A) University of Zaragoza Zaragoza Spain
Wouter Oosterlinck
KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Stefan Janssens
University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Ane M. Zaldua
Health Spezialization Leartiker S.Coop. Markina‐Xemein Spain
Olalla Iglesias‐García
Biomedical Engineering Program Technological Innovation Division Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria De Navarra (IdiSNA) Pamplona Spain
Felipe Prosper
Manuel M. Mazo Vega
Hematology and Cell Therapy Area Clínica Universidad de Navarra and Cancer Center Clínica Universidad De Navarra (CCUN) Pamplona Spain
Jürgen Groll
Tomasz Jungst
University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany