Innovative Y-shaped hydrogel mitral clip with magnetic actuation and hydrophilic janus surface for enhanced valve leaflet repair

TL;DR

A new Y-shaped hydrogel clip with magnetic control and special surface properties is developed for repairing leaky heart valves with minimal surgery.

Contribution

The novel Y-shaped hydrogel mitral clip with magnetic actuation and Janus surface is introduced for improved valve repair.

Findings

The clip shows strong adhesion and mechanical resilience in simulated physiological conditions.

Hemocompatibility tests show reduced thrombogenicity compared to commercial alternatives.

Magnetic actuation allows precise clamping and minimally invasive deployment.

Abstract

We developed a magnetically responsive Y-shaped hydrogel mitral clip for minimally invasive repair of mitral regurgitation. Fabricated through a multilayer assembly strategy, the clip integrates a polyurethane layer featuring a biomimetic inverse opal architecture to enhance tissue adhesion, a GelMA/Fe3O4 hydrogel for magnetic actuation, a flexible epoxy acrylate scaffold for mechanical compliance, and a biocompatible polydimethylsiloxane interface. The clip exhibits Janus wettability, with a hydrophilic inner surface to promote effective leaflet anchoring and a hydrophobic outer surface to minimize blood fouling, thus optimizing device-tissue and device-fluid interactions. Performance was validated through in vitro, ex vivo, and computational studies, confirming precise magnetic clamping, strong adhesion, and mechanical resilience under simulated physiological conditions. Hemocompatibility evaluations demonstrated favorable outcomes in terms of blood interaction and reduced thrombogenicity when benchmarked against commercial alternatives. This soft, adaptive device supports minimally invasive deployment and reliable leaflet fixation, offering a promising approach for next-generation transcatheter mitral valve repair with enhanced tissue integration and blood compatibility.

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