A 3D-Printed Microvascular Surgery Training Platform With High-Fidelity, Biomimetic Properties

Current vascular grafts face limitations including inadequate mechanical strength, inability to replicate small and complex anatomical structures, ethical concerns with animal-based training models, and high costs that limit accessibility. We developed a cytocompatible vascular graft fabrication platform combining dual-network hydrogels with high-resolution digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing to address these bottlenecks. Through systematic evaluation of hydrogel formulations, we identified a polyacrylamide-alginate-calcium dual-network system achieving tensile properties comparable to native vessels while enabling exceptional suture retention and structural integrity required for microsurgical applications. Integration with DLP printing enabled fabrication of ultra-small microchannels and complex branching vascular networks with patient-specific geometries derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. To fine-tune the material properties of the vessels, we developed a machine learning model that optimizes the bioink composition to achieve targeted mechanical properties. We further established an integrated microsurgery training platform combining 3D-printed vessels with essential surgical equipment, providing authentic haptic feedback at a significantly lower cost than commercial alternatives. Biological validation demonstrated robust endothelial cell viability and barrier formation. These studies demonstrated a comprehensive platform addressing multiple critical bottlenecks in vascular graft technology with potential for both accessible microsurgical training and future therapeutic applications in personalized vascular reconstruction.