U of M startup Vascudyne Inc. manufactures organic arteries and heart valves that can live and grow within the body.
The new company — formally announced last Monday — looks to use living tissue to replace arteries, heart valves and other body tissues. If successful, the material can be fully integrated with the rest of the heart, allowing it to grow and heal with the body.
Currently, the primary option for people who need a blood vessel or heart valve replacement is a synthetic device that is rigid, cannot heal and cannot change shape.