# Superhydrophobic Heart Valve Prosthesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $689,412

## Abstract

Project Summary:
All present day prosthetic heart valves suffer from complications. Mechanical heart valves (HVs) require life-long
anti-coagulation therapy, while bioprosthetic heart valves based on fixed tissue are plagued with durability,
immunogenic and calcification issues. Superhydrophobic (SH) bileaflet mechanical heart valves with vortex
generator (VG) technology promise to eliminate the need for anti-coagulation therapy. Our lab has developed a
SH bileaflet mechanical heart valve (BMHV) with VGs that drastically improve surface hemocompatibility as well
as eliminate turbulent stresses, thus reducing platelet activation. Preliminary work has shown that SH surfaces
remarkably reduced thrombogenic potential relative to plain pyrolytic carbon leaflets. Further, we have already
demonstrated the feasibility of manufacturing BMHVs and assembling them with VGs into an implantable BMHV.
The present R01 study aims to gauge the efficacy of SH BMHV with VG as a potential alternative to current heart
valve technology by fine tuning material composition and processing to meet the durability and antithrombogenic
requirements for heart valves. Our central hypothesis is: superhydrophobic BMHVs with vortex generator flow
control technology will require significantly less anti-coagulation therapy. This is tested in three aims. Aim 1
focuses on elucidating the effects of leaflet composition and processing on hemocompatibility while optimizing
the strength and hemocompatibility of the coating. Aim 2 quantifies heart valve hemodynamic performance of SH
with VG BMHVs to identify the ideal SH+VG configuration for superior hemodynamics and minimum blood
damage. Aim 3 focuses on understanding the in vivo hemocompatibility of SH with VG BMHV in a pilot ovine
study. This proposal is led by Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dasi, who is a well trained young investigator with expertise in
heart valve engineering and cardiovascular biomechanics, and inventor of several heart valve technologies
including VGs and novel biomolecule polymer leaflets. Multi-PIs are Dr. Kota, who is an established
superhydrophobic materials expert; Dr. Popat whose expertise lies in bio-compatibility and surface
nano-engineering. Co-Is include Dr. Brueur, Dr. Bark, Dr. Crestanello, Dr. Shinoka, and Dr. Hor who form an
experienced team with expertise in in-vivo models, platelet biology, surgery, and imaging. If the proposed work
demonstrates that SH with VG BMHVs do not require anti-coagulation, elicit excellent hemodynamics, and are
durable, this R01 grant may lead to breakthrough technology for mechanical HVs that require little or no
anticoagulation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10181139
- **Project number:** 7R01HL135505-04
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Lakshmi Prasad Dasi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $689,412
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10181139

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10181139, Superhydrophobic Heart Valve Prosthesis (7R01HL135505-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-08-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10181139. Licensed CC0.

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