Part I: From a parameterized computer model of the aortic valve to a stentless 3D scaold and functional evaluation.

Until today, the tissue engineering of the aortic heart valve is limited by the lack of an appropriate 3D stentless scaold. The necessity of incorporating functional open-ing/closing behavior of the lea ets is of eminency for in vitro mechanical conditioning in obtaining tissue maturation and formation prior to implantation as well as proper func-tioning of the valve upon implantation. Therefore, a parameterized computer model is developed, enabling the user to create any desired valve geometry. From the computer model a mold of the aortic valve is designed for the purpose of electrospinning. In this study, an electrospun poly(-caprolactone) aortic valve scaold is produced and tested for its functional performance in a pulse duplicator system. Natural valve characteris-tics like the coaptation of the lea ets upon closing, where the physiological mechanical environments is approached, are obtained. 1 introduction Every year, 170.000 aortic heart valve replacements are performed worldwide due to disease and or dysfunction. Many prosthesis are available ranging from articial to biological ones