Structure-Function in Helical Cardiac Musculature Using Additive Textile Manufacturing

For more than fifty years, it has been hypothesized that the helical alignment of the heart gives rise to its mechanical function. Testing this hypothesis in an engineered environment is difficult, as the fine spatial features and complex three-dimensional (3D) structures of the cardiac musculature are challenging to reproduce using current biofabrication techniques. Addressing this, here we report a new form of additive textile manufacturing, Focused Rotary Jet Spinning (FRJS). FRJS allows for the rapid manufacturing of micro/nanofibers with controlled alignments. Using this method, we manufacture 3D models of the left ventricle, showing that helically aligned scaffolds display increased strain uniformity, axial shortening, cardiac output, and ejection fractions as compared to circumferential models. We then demonstrate how FRJS can enable the assembly of a full-sized model of the human heart’s musculature. This work experimentally confirms that ventricular alignment plays a critical role in ensuring healthy cardiac performance.