Researchers at Colorado State University and Ohio State University think they have a way to build a much cheaper replacement heart valve and their work is moving to the next phase.
Now, a preclinical trial of their replacement heart valve will take place in India. Researchers say their novel values are made from plastic, with the potential to be better than current mechanical valves that require patients to take medication to prevent blood clots, as well as tissue-based valves that don’t last more than 10 to 15 years.
The research is funded by a two-year grant from the governments of India and the United States. A manufacturer is interested in potentially taking the technology to market if the trial is successful.
