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Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Micropatterning and Assembly of 3D Microvessels
Published on: September 9, 2016
Artificial small-diameter blood vessels: materials, fabrication, surface modification, mechanical properties, and
Dongfang Wang1, Yiyang Xu2, Qian Li3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA. turng@engr.wisc.edu and Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA and School of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China and National Center for International Research of Micro-Nano Molding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, P. R. China.
Insights
Artificial small-diameter blood vessels (SDBVs) are crucial for treating cardiovascular diseases when natural grafts are unavailable. This review summarizes advancements in SDBV engineering, focusing on materials, fabrication, and biofunctionality for future applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading global cause of death, often necessitating vascular grafts for bypass surgery.
- Limited availability and secondary injury associated with autologous grafts drive the need for artificial small-diameter blood vessels (SDBVs).
- In vitro engineering of SDBVs offers a promising alternative to overcome limitations of current treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the progress and future outlook of in vitro engineered small-diameter blood vessels (SDBVs).
- To analyze material selection, fabrication techniques, surface modifications, mechanical properties, and bioactive functionalities of artificial SDBVs.
- To identify current challenges and future directions for optimizing SDBV design and application.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of literature on natural and synthetic polymers for artificial SDBVs.
- Analysis and comparison of various fabrication techniques including extrusion, electrospinning, 3D printing, and hydrogel tubing.
- Investigation of surface modification methods (physical, chemical, plasma treatment) and assessment of mechanical and in vitro biological functions (e.g., NO production, anticoagulation).
Main Results:
- Several natural and synthetic polymers have been explored for artificial SDBVs.
- Diverse fabrication methods (e.g., electrospinning, TIPS, 3D printing) and surface modifications are available, each with distinct advantages.
- Key mechanical requirements and in vitro biological functions are critical for long-term SDBV performance.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in engineering artificial SDBVs, addressing limitations of autologous grafts.
- Optimal SDBV design requires a synergistic combination of advanced materials, fabrication techniques, surface modifications, and biofunctionalization.
- Further research is needed to overcome current challenges and promote the clinical translation of in vitro engineered SDBVs.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases, especially ones involving narrowed or blocked blood vessels with diameters smaller than 6 millimeters, are the leading cause of death globally. Vascular grafts have been used in bypass surgery to replace damaged native blood vessels for treating severe cardio- and peripheral vascular diseases. However, autologous replacement grafts are not often available due to prior harvesting or the patient's health. Furthermore, autologous harvesting causes secondary injury to the patient at the harvest site. Therefore, artificial blood vessels have been widely investigated in the last several decades. In this review, the progress and potential outlook of small-diameter blood vessels (SDBVs) engineered in vitro are highlighted and summarized, including material selection and development, fabrication techniques, surface modification, mechanical properties, and bioactive functionalities. Several kinds of natural and synthetic polymers for artificial SDBVs are presented here. Commonly used fabrication techniques, such as extrusion and expansion, electrospinning, thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), braiding, 3D printing, hydrogel tubing, gas foaming, and a combination of these methods, are analyzed and compared. Different surface modification methods, such as physical immobilization, surface adsorption, plasma treatment, and chemical immobilization, are investigated and are compared here as well. Mechanical requirements of SDBVs are also reviewed for long-term service. In vitro biological functions of artificial blood vessels, including oxygen consumption, nitric oxide (NO) production, shear stress response, leukocyte adhesion, and anticoagulation, are also discussed. Finally, we draw conclusions regarding current challenges and attempts to identify future directions for the optimal combination of materials, fabrication methods, surface modifications, and biofunctionalities. We hope that this review can assist with the design, fabrication, and application of SDBVs engineered in vitro and promote future advancements in this emerging research field.
