• The initiative is preparing a system to cultivate, produce and transport a cellularized patch for patients that have suffered a myocardial infarction
   
• Another of the products developed by this technology will be a roll up system to implant the patch with a minimally invasive procedure

One of the areas that are crucial in the success of CARDIOPATCH’s solutions are the 3D printing technologies. The European initiative, which aims to develop a new treatment based on regenerative medicine for patients of myocardial infarction, is working in this field and has recently achieved significant milestones. 

Within the project, a 3D system to cultivate, produce and transport a cellularized patch driven to regenerate the heart tissues damaged due to a myocardial infarction will be developed.

This system will be generated through 4 phases: the definition of the requirements for the cultivation and transport of the patch, the design of the 3D printing prototype, the development of the final product and the validation of the functionality. 

Nowadays, the project is focused in the first and second phases. Leartiker, member of the CARDIOPATCH’s consortium, that has accredited knowledge and experience in these kinds of products, is in charge of the system.

The main function of this new product, made by biopolymers  like silicone and PLA, is to enable a multicavity production of cellularized patches together with an effective distribution of vertical ports on the lid: one for each cavity to feed the cells and another one for air filtration.  

At this moment, Leartiker team is preparing in its clean room installations a prototype which will be customizable to different membrane sizes. “We can say that the system works and we are making it compatible with different types of membranes independently”, says Jon Anakabe, researcher of the center. 

The final aim of this first achievement is to find a prototype that gathers different characteristics: “It has to be hermetic, with fluids exchange capacity through ‘luer-lock’ ports, customizable and compatible with membranes of different types and sizes, and enable the transport of the patch at GMP conditions from the cultivation lab to the operating room”, explains Jon Anakabe. 

CARDIOPATCH initiative will generate another product based on 3D printing technologies: a roll up system to implant the patch in the heart with minimally invasive surgery procedures (MIS).

After determining the most convenient implantation procedure of the patch, the initiative is advancing in the design of the first 3D printed prototype of the roll up system. 

The following steps to get this product finished and ready for the project will be the development of the final design and the characterization and validation of the roll up in a real environment. 

The advances on these two products will be essential for the success of the project therapy model for patients with chronic myocardial infarction. 

CARDIOPATCH (Network of Excellence for the development of Advanced Therapies of Myocardial Infarction treatment based on regenerative medicine and 3D printing) is cofunded by the Interreg Sudoe Programme of the European Union, via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Alongside Leartiker, the consortium includes partners from Spain, France and Portugal: CUN, CIMA University of Navarra, via the Foundation for Applied Medical Research, the Institut de Recerca de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, communication agency GUK, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, the University of Montpellier (UM) - Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), GenIbet Biopharmaceuticals and the Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica.

The project also has the support of associate partners Viscofan, Sodena and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Euskadi, Navarre Euroregion (NAEN).