Production of Heart Valves from Glassy Polymeric Carbon

When certain resins are pyrolized they transform into a glassy polymeric carbon (GPC) with no change in shape. Using this process we have made all-carbon heart valves by rapid molding of the component pieces out of precursor resin, assemblage in the resin stage and pyrolysis to at least 1,000°C to form an accurately articulated device. A heart valve with two occluders set in a carbon ring manufactured out of highly polished carbon has been tested with an excellent record of wear, fatigue, resistance and biocompatibility, especially in contact with blood.