Abstract: An apparatus and method that allows the visualization of leakage of cell culture media through a conduit wall of a tissue-engineered biological construct such as a semilunar heart valve or valve graft under controlled physiologic conditions. The apparatus and method also allows for the assessment of valve function and intraluminal flow using conventional imaging modalities such as ultrasonic and magnetic resonance imaging. The apparatus allows the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of structural and functional characteristics of a condition tissue engineered construct prior to implantation using a valve housing and chamber and a flow-pressure simulator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel, less invasive and improved methods of tissue-engineering of constructs that require an endothelial surface such as blood vessels and heart valves. The constructs of the present invention possess long-term patency. The method of the present invention is particularly suited for making small diameter vessels to replace clogged or damaged coronary blood vessels, for making trileaflet heart valve conduits to replace damaged or malformed pulmonic and aortic valves, and for other vascular structures that require an endothelial surface.