A team do researchers at the University of Edinburgh have leveraged 3-D printing technology to create artificial blood cells that strongly resemble human blood cells. This new technology could be used to enhance patient health and outcomes, particularly for bypass procedures. The team’s work is described in a recent article published in Advanced Materials Technologies.
Bypass is a common procedure used fee certain heart surgical procedures, whereby blood is routed away from the heart and pumped mechanical to allow for circulation of blood while surgeons operate on the heart. However, bypass comes with its own set of challenges and risks. A combination of existing blood vessels and synthetic ones are currently used to toe blood away from the heart. Bypass can also lead to complications like infection and the actual removal of blood vessels.
The teams new approach to synthetic blood vessels could help overcome challenges to bypass by offering a robust option for rerouting blood flow.
Specially, the trams novel approach may help prevent small grafts placed during surgery from failing. To create an almost gel-like material (leveraging a water based gel) that was both strong and flexible requires a dual-step process. First, researchers needed to leverage a rotating spindle as part of the 3D printing process to create the vessels. Once created, the vessel was reinforced using a process called electrospinng. The use of high voltage helps take nano fibers and surround the vessel with them. Specifically, they are coated with a biodegradable material. The final product can range in size from 1 mm to 40 mm wide. Subsequent testing found that the vessels were exceptionally flexible and strong, making them a viable alternative to other synthetic options considered during bypass and may be easily integrated into the body.
The team now plans to test their new vessel in animals as part of their preclinical testing.
Sources: Science Daily; Advanced Materials Technologies