Edinburgh: 3D-printed blood vessels with the characteristics of human blood vessels could revolutionize the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, say scientists.
A team of researchers working under the guidance of the University of Edinburgh created the artificial vein using a 3D printer from a water-based gel.
They later put it through a process called electrospinning (which uses high voltage to spin fine nanofibers) and coated the tube with biodegradable polyester molecules.
The flexible, gel-like vessels, which are as strong as natural veins and easily become part of the body, could replace the human and synthetic veins that currently reroute blood in bypass operations, the team said. are used for
According to the researchers, these veins can reduce the scarring, pain and infections associated with the removal of human veins.
The team said these conduits (which can be made between 1mm and 40mm in diameter) could reduce the failure of smaller synthetic grafts that can be difficult to integrate into the body.
