A new process for customized patient-specific aortic stent graft using 3D printing technique

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Cardiovascular Surgery

Background:

• Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a common treatment for descending aortic disease.
• Existing EVAR stent grafts are standardized and may not fit individual patient anatomy or structural needs.
• A need exists for patient-specific solutions in aortic stent graft design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a patient-specific aortic stent graft manufacturing technique using 3D printing and controlled deposition.
• To create customized stent grafts that meet individual patient requirements for personalized therapy.
• To evaluate the performance of these novel stent grafts.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a rapid prototyping study sacrificial core-coating forming (RPSC-CF) technique.
• Manufactured aortic stent grafts comprising a film and a metallic stent.
• Employed polyether polyurethane and nickel-titanium alloys for their shape memory and biocompatibility.
• Conducted burst pressure testing and radial support force tests.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed customized aortic stent grafts tailored to patient-specific needs.
• The fabricated stent grafts demonstrated good performance in burst pressure tests.
• Tests confirmed adequate radial support provided by the customized grafts.
• The materials used exhibited favorable shape memory properties and biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing and controlled deposition offer a viable method for patient-specific aortic stent graft manufacturing.
• Customized stent grafts meet the demands of personalized therapy and invasive surgery.
• The developed technique and materials provide a foundation for precise aortic dissection treatment.