Innovation and Challenges in Materials for Transcatheter Aortic Valves

Figures

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  Fig. 1. (A) Graphical representation of number of publications in past 10 years by searching for “Aortic Heart valve” and “Transcatheter Aortic Heart valve” (Scopus on 14th May 2026). (B) Conceptual illustration of various material characteristics required by valves to be suitable for a TAVI approach for implantation

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  Fig. 2. (A) Design variables of the TAVI leaflet geometry (D = diameter of the valve; g = gap at the center of the leaflets at the load-free initial configuration, H = valve height, h = leaflet coaptation height) and (B) Stress distribution across the leaflets with a slight change in the design. Reproduced with permission [24]. Copyright 2020, Elsevier

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  Fig. 3. Cyclic load/unload performance of native heart valve in (A) circumferential and (B) radial directions Reproduced with permission [29]. Copyright 2011, Springer nature. Mechanical properties of various materials when compared to native valves: Young’s modulus versus ultimate stress at break (C) and Young’s modulus versus elongation at break (D) Reproduced with permission [18]. Copyright 2020, Elsevier

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  Fig. 4. (A) Pictorial representation of stent crimping to smaller size. Reproduced with permission [56]. Copyright 2021, Wiley. (B) Scanning electron microscopy images show intact (A, C, and E) and crimped (B, D, and F) states of three different pericardial leaflets at 18 F, 16 F, and 14 F, respectively. Reproduced with permission [54]. Copyright 2014, Elsevier

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  Fig. 5. Optical images of the (A) Balloon-expandable and (B) Self-expandable biological TAVI devices. Reproduced with permission [57]. Copyright 2023, Taylor & Francis

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  Fig. 6. Optical images of the polymeric TAVI devices that are at various stages of development. Reproduced with permission [84]. Copyright 2024, Elsevier