Tee Labs Incubatee: Hearthill MedicalCompletes China First Implantation of Polymer Surgical Aortic Valve
Recently, PoliaValve™, a polymer artificial heart valve independently developed by Tee Labs-incubated company Suzhou Hearthill Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (“Suzhou Hearthill Medical”), was successfully implanted in a 69-year-old male patient during an aortic valve replacement surgery performed by Professor Lu Fanglin’s team at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, on September 13, 2024. One-month follow-up results show excellent performance of the implanted polymer valve, marking a significant milestone for China’s next-generation polymer heart valves in cardiac surgery.
Case Overview
Two years ago, the patient was diagnosed with aortic valve calcification and stenosis during a physical exam. One month before surgery, he developed progressively worsening dyspnea during activity.
Preoperative echocardiography revealed:Bicuspid aortic valve (Type 0 morphology).Severe calcification with restricted leaflet motion.Severe aortic stenosis (effective orifice area: 0.91 cm²) with mild regurgitation.
After comprehensive evaluation of echocardiographic and CT data, Professor Lu’s team confirmed the patient met surgical criteria. Via a minimally invasive parasternal approach, the diseased valve was excised and replaced with a 21mm PoliaValve™ polymer surgical valve using interrupted mattress sutures.
The patient recovered smoothly. Discharge echocardiography showed stable valve fixation with normal leaflet motion.
At the one-month follow-up, the patient walked into the ward without assistance, reporting complete resolution of chest tightness and dyspnea and significantly improved quality of life. He expressed gratitude to Professor Lu’s team for their expertise and advanced medical technology.
Follow-up echocardiography confirmed:Stable valve fixation, normal leaflet function.Peak aortic velocity: 1.9 m/s.Mean pressure gradient: 8 mmHg.Effective orifice area: 1.79 cm² (indexed: 1.15 cm²/m²).No paravalvular leak or regurgitation observed.
This case marks the first clinical application in China’s cardiac surgery field of the domestically developed new-generation polymer-based artificial heart valve. The PoliaValve™ used in this procedure is also the world’s second polymer-based surgical valve to enter the clinical stage for adult heart disease.
With advancements in materials science, the development of polymer-based artificial heart valves has garnered widespread attention in recent years. Foldax, a U.S. leader in polymer valves, pioneered the clinical application of its Tria™ aortic surgical valve in 2019. To date, over one hundred implantations have been completed for both aortic and mitral surgical valves (including feasibility studies), with the longest follow-up period exceeding five years. The safety and efficacy of polymer valves have been preliminarily validated.
Developed by Suzhou Hearthill Medical, PoliaValve™ integrates advanced polymer materials with robotic manufacturing technology to enhance product consistency. Preclinical animal studies showed superior hemodynamic performance (effective orifice area, pressure gradient, peak velocity) compared to conventional bioprosthetic valves at 6 months. Further studies will evaluate long-term clinical safety and durability.。
In the future, Hearthill Medical will continue to uphold the spirit of innovation and deepen its research, committing to improving key indicators such as clinical safety and durability of its products. With advanced technology, high-quality products, and dedicated services, it aims to create a better future for patients with heart diseases and contribute to the development of China’s medical cause.
About Hearthill Medical
Hearthill Medical is committed to deploying cutting-edge international technologies to build a cardiovascular innovation platform centered on life support. To date, its three independently developed percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) have all obtained type test certifications and are scheduled to initiate formal clinical trials in the near future. Leveraging its patented core technologies—specifically the 6mm and 4.6mm brushless hollow-cup motor platforms—Hearthill Medical has become China’s leading player in interventional VADs holding the most pVAD type test certifications. The company’s core product has demonstrated operational stability exceeding 10 days in large animal implants, setting the longest in vivo duration record for such devices in China’s preclinical trials.
About Tee Labs
Tee Labs is an international community and startup incubator co-founded by entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, dedicated to advancing medical frontiers including AI-driven drug discovery, diagnostics, and personalized medicine through digital solutions. We provide comprehensive support encompassing R&D facilities, corporate services, integrated supply chains, and funding—deeply empowering startup teams to accelerate development cycles. Our laboratory features core equipment and shared instrument platforms, significantly reducing preparatory phases for workspace and device setup, allowing companies to focus on critical R&D. Currently operating 2,600 sqm of incubation space—including 1,500 sqm of specialized labs—Tee Labs houses chemistry, molecular biology, cell culture, bacteriology, and biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) facilities. This multi-domain infrastructure enables diverse research initiatives and offers early-stage companies the flexibility for multifunctional teams to collaborate within integrated workspaces.
Article sourced from Yandao Medical Voice Network. Original link:上海市第一人民医院陆方林教授团队成功完成我国首例高分子聚合物外科主动脉瓣植入