Dynamic loading increases strength of tissue-engineered chordae tendineae

We have used directed collagen gel shrinkage to fabricate tissue-engineered mitral valve chordae tendineae. These constructs have a microstructure similar to that of native chordae - a dense collagen core and an elastin sheath surrounding it. We designed a dynamic loading system to stretch the constructs in vitro to improve their mechanical properties. At 5 weeks of culture, dynamically loaded constructs have a 120% increase in failure strength relative to statically loaded constructs.