Three-layered vascular grafts developed for the first time

Engineering experts in China have combined a number of techniques to create potentially revolutionary tri-layered artificial blood vessels for the first time.

Developed at Shanghai University's Rapid Manufacturing Engineering Centre, the tri-layered composite vascular graft was created through the dual usage of micro-imprinting and electro-spinning techniques.

Composed of a mixture of chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol, electrospun on to both sides of a microimprinted middle layer of poly-p-dioxanone, the vascular grafts combine mechanical strength with the promotion of new cell growth.

These new scaffolds offer numerous advantages compared to single or dual-layer vascular grafts, which often are not suitably rigid. Preliminary tests in animal subjects have underlined the potential benefits of the technology.

Yuanyuan Liu, an associate professor at the Rapid Manufacturing Engineering Centre, said: "The composite vascular grafts could be better candidates for blood vessel repair."

Vascular grafts are surgically attached to obstructed or unhealthy blood vessels to permanently redirect blood flow and are vital components for use in procedures such as coronary bypass surgery.