In a world-first, a new type of heart valve made from an Australian designed biopolymer that eliminates the need for animal tissue has been implanted in a patient who, three months later, continues to do very well. In a world-first, a new type of heart valve made from an Australian designed biopolymer that eliminates the need for animal tissue has been implanted in a patient who, three months later, continues to do very well. Created by the CSIRO and manufactured by medical device company, Foldax Inc., the "revolutionary technology" is called the Tria heart valve. The recipient, a 68 year-old avid runner who has been aware of his aortic valve disease for a decade, says he feels so good he now wants to run a marathon. The valve implant surgery (pictured) at Beaumont Hospital in the US is part of an FDA early feasibility study and is the first […]