Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed 3D printed blood vessels that closely mimic the properties of human veins, potentially transforming the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. These strong, flexible, gel-like tubes, created using a novel 3D printing technology, could significantly enhance heart bypass surgery outcomes by replacing the human and synthetic veins currently used to re-route blood flow.
The development of synthetic vessels aims to reduce the scarring, pain, and infection risks associated with the removal of human veins in bypass operations, of which around 20,000 are carried out annually in England. Additionally, these synthetic vessels could help address the failure of small synthetic grafts, which are often difficult to integrate into the body.
Led by the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, the research team utilized a two-stage process involving a rotating spindle integrated into a 3D printer to create tubular grafts from a water-based gel. These printed grafts were then reinforced using electrospinning, a process that uses high voltage to draw out very thin nanofibers, coating the artificial blood vessel with biodegradable polyester molecules. Tests showed the resulting products to be as strong as natural blood vessels.
Technical Information of 3D Printed Blood Vessels
The 3D printed blood vessels grafts can be made in thicknesses ranging from 1 to 40mm in diameter, catering to various medical applications. Their flexibility allows for easy integration into the human body.
The next phase of the study will involve testing these blood vessels in animals, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, followed by human trials. The research, published in Advanced Materials Technologies, was conducted in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University.
“Our hybrid technique opens up new and exciting possibilities for the fabrication of tubular constructs in tissue engineering,” said Dr. Faraz Fazal, the lead author from the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.
“The results from our research address a long-standing challenge in the field of vascular tissue engineering – to produce a conduit that has similar biomechanical properties to that of human veins. With continued support and collaboration, the vision of improved treatment options for patients with cardiovascular disease could become a reality,” said Dr. Norbert Radacsi, the principal investigator from the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.
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