Scientists develop 3D printing tech to create artificial blood vessels
Scientists have developed a 3D printing technique that can recreate the complex geometry of blood vessels, and could one day be used to produce artificial arteries and organ tissues. A study, published in the journal Nature Communications, outlines a layer-by-layer printing method that features fine-grain, programmable control over rigidity. The findings could lead to better, more personalised treatments for those suffering from hypertension and other vascular diseases. "The idea was to add independent mechanical properties to 3D structures that can mimic the body's natural tissue," said Xiaobo Yin, an associate professor at University of Colorado (CU) Boulder in the US. "This technology allows us to create microstructures that can be customised for disease models," said Yin. Hardened blood vessels are associated with cardiovascular disease, but engineering a solution for viable artery and tissue replacement has historically proven challen