A 3D-Printed Microvascular Surgery Training Platform With High-Fidelity, Biomimetic Properties.
Authors
Affiliations (6)
Affiliations (6)
- Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, USA.
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
Abstract
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.