The Renovalve project, a new cardiac implant, is taking a crucial step towards preparing the first preclinical trials

Like a double check valve, the mitral valve is the part of the heart that allows blood to flow in one direction from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Although mitral defects can be repaired surgically, this approach is not feasible for all patients, many of whom cannot tolerate open-heart surgery. However, mitral insufficiency represents a high mortality risk for patients over 65 years of age, and the number of pathological cases increases with the ageing of the population. 

To address this situation, the Biomechanics and Bioengineering Laboratory of the Compiègne University of Technology (UTC) and SEGULA Technologies are currently working together to develop a new cardiac implant called “Renovalve” in collaboration with the Henri Mondor Hospital of the AP-HP and the CNRS. The aim of the implant is to restore the seal of the mitral valve by means of minimally invasive surgery, without open heart surgery.

SEGULA Technologies brings to the project its expertise in digital simulation: together with the UTC, the group has developed a digital methodology and a simulation platform that makes it possible to model the dynamics of a mitral valve and predict its behaviour in a way that can be customised for each patient.

Launched in 2014, the Renovalve project has been patented and has just moved up a gear: it is now a matter of completing the design of the implant and making a complete prototype, potentially using 3D printing, in order to prepare the first animal trials. A “France Relance” dossier has been submitted and the project initiators are currently looking for an industrial partner who would be interested in producing and marketing the implant.

The team involved:

Thibaut Alleau, PhD student at SEGULA Technologies and author of a thesis directed by Anne-Virginie Salsac, CNRS research director in the Biomechanics and Bioengineering Laboratory, Université de technologie de Compiègne/CNRS, and project leader
Contact: thibaut.alleau@segula.fr
Laurent Lanquetin, head of calculation activities at SEGULA.
Contact: laurent.lanquetin@segula.fr