Silk fibroin and polyurethane threads gently cradling a heart

The Future of Cardiovascular Surgery: A Revolutionary New Patch?

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 3 min read.

"Scientists Develop Innovative Silk Fibroin-Based Surgical Sheet for Enhanced Heart Repair"

Cardiovascular surgery often relies on surgical sheets to repair congenital defects and other abnormalities. However, current options like ePTFE and bovine pericardium have drawbacks, including bleeding, material deterioration, and calcification, which can lead to further complications and the need for additional interventions.

Researchers have been exploring new materials to overcome these challenges. One promising candidate is silk fibroin (SF), a biocompatible polymer with a long history in surgical applications. While SF offers excellent biocompatibility, it lacks the flexibility needed for cardiovascular repairs.

A new study published in Surgery Today investigates a novel approach: combining silk fibroin with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to create a hybrid surgical sheet. This innovative material aims to leverage the strengths of both components, offering a more effective solution for cardiovascular surgery.

The Science Behind the Silk: Creating the SF/TPU Surgical Sheet

Silk fibroin and polyurethane threads gently cradling a heart

The researchers created the hybrid SF/TPU sheet using electrospinning, a process that produces non-woven fabrics with nanofibers. This technique allows for precise control over the material's structure and properties. The resulting sheet consists of a combination of SF and TPU nanofibers, offering a unique blend of strength and flexibility.

To assess the sheet's potential, the researchers conducted a series of tests:

Mechanical Properties: The flexibility, water permeability, and suture retention strength of the SF/TPU sheet were evaluated.
Biocompatibility: The sheet was implanted as a patch in the descending aorta of canine subjects to assess tissue compatibility.
Histological Examination: After 3 months, the patches were removed and examined to evaluate tissue integration, inflammation, and other signs of adverse reaction.

The results showed that the SF/TPU sheet had excellent mechanical properties, comparable to existing surgical sheets. Importantly, it also demonstrated superior handling and fit well into the vascular wall without causing excessive bleeding. Histological examination revealed good tissue restoration, minimal inflammation, and no signs of calcium deposition or degradation.

A Promising Future for Heart Repair?

The SF/TPU surgical sheet shows great promise as a new tool for cardiovascular surgeons. Its favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and potential biodegradability could lead to improved outcomes for patients undergoing heart repair procedures. While long-term studies are needed to fully evaluate its effectiveness, this innovative material represents a significant step forward in the field of cardiovascular surgery. The researchers believe that the favorable features and possible biodegradability of the SF portion warrant a long-term follow-up study to fully determine the impact and potential of this exciting development.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s00595-017-1615-6, Alternate LINK

Title: Development Of A New Surgical Sheet Containing Both Silk Fibroin And Thermoplastic Polyurethane For Cardiovascular Surgery

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Surgery Today

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Ryo Shimada, Hayato Konishi, Hideki Ozawa, Takahiro Katsumata, Ryou Tanaka, Yasumoto Nakazawa, Shintaro Nemoto

Published: 2017-12-18

Everything You Need To Know

What are the drawbacks of current surgical sheets used in cardiovascular surgery?

The current surgical sheets used in cardiovascular surgery, such as ePTFE and bovine pericardium, can present challenges like bleeding during implantation, material deterioration over time, and calcification. These issues can lead to further complications for the patient and may necessitate additional surgical interventions to correct them.

How is the novel SF/TPU surgical sheet created?

The SF/TPU surgical sheet is created through electrospinning, a method for producing non-woven fabrics with nanofibers. This technique combines silk fibroin (SF) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers, resulting in a material with both strength and flexibility. The precise control offered by electrospinning allows for fine-tuning of the material's structure and properties.

How was the biocompatibility of the SF/TPU surgical sheet evaluated?

The SF/TPU surgical sheet's biocompatibility was assessed through implantation in the descending aorta of canine subjects. After 3 months, the patches were examined to evaluate tissue integration, inflammation levels, and signs of adverse reactions. The results indicated good tissue restoration, minimal inflammation, and no evidence of calcium deposition or degradation, suggesting the sheet is well-tolerated by the body.

What are the individual properties of silk fibroin and thermoplastic polyurethane, and how does combining them address limitations in cardiovascular repair?

Silk fibroin (SF) is valued for its excellent biocompatibility, making it suitable for surgical applications. However, it lacks the necessary flexibility for cardiovascular repairs. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), on the other hand, offers flexibility but may not have the same level of biocompatibility as SF. Combining these two materials into a SF/TPU surgical sheet aims to harness the advantages of both, creating a material that is both biocompatible and flexible for improved cardiovascular repair.

What further studies are needed to fully understand the potential of the SF/TPU surgical sheet?

While short-term results for the SF/TPU surgical sheet are promising, long-term studies are necessary to fully determine its impact and potential. These studies would assess the sheet's long-term durability, degradation behavior, and its ability to maintain tissue integration without adverse reactions over an extended period. Furthermore, such studies could evaluate the potential biodegradability of the silk fibroin (SF) component, offering insights into how the sheet interacts with the body's natural processes over time.