IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,734,026
Granted Patent B2
US 12,734,026 · App. 18/285,366 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

3D printing of biomimetic flexible multilayer blood vessels

Inventors: Sung Yun Hann (Arlington, VA); Haitao Cui (Arlington, VA); Lijie Grace Zhang (Washington, DC)
Assignee: The George Washington University
A61F2/062A61L27/225A61L27/3808A61L27/3826A61L27/3891A61L27/507
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,734,026
App. No.
18/285,366
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for producing artificial blood vessels. In certain embodiments, the method for producing blood vessels includes printing an elastic outer layer and removing polyvinyl alcohol component from the elastic outer layer. The process then involves forming a first inner layer of smooth muscle cells, wherein the smooth muscle cells are mixed with 5 fibrinogen solution and extruded with thrombin to form a smooth muscle cell gel, and forming a second inner layer of endothelial cells, wherein the endothelial cells are mixed with fibrinogen solution and extruded with thrombin to form an endothelial cell gel.

Claims (25)

1 . A method for producing a blood vessel comprising:

printing an outer layer;

removing a polyvinyl alcohol component from the outer layer to produce an elastic outer layer;

forming a first inner layer comprised of smooth muscle cells comprised of smooth muscle cell gel comprised of smooth muscle cells, fibrinogen, and thrombin, wherein the smooth muscle cells are first mixed with a fibrinogen solution and then coaxially extruded with the thrombin; and

forming a second inner layer comprised of an endothelial cell gel comprised of endothelial cells, a fibrinogen, and thrombin, wherein the first inner layer is between the elastic outer layer and the second inner layer.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is removed by immersing the elastic outer layer in deionized water.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is comprised of a biodegradable elastomer.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells are human induced pluripotent stem cell derived.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the smooth muscle cell gel is injected coaxially using a needle.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the smooth muscle cell gel and the endothelial cell gel are both extruded from different compartments of the same coaxial needle.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second inner layer is formed after the first inner layer.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the blood vessel has high elasticity and has a rough surface.

9 . A method for producing a blood vessel comprising:

printing an outer layer;

removing a polyvinyl alcohol component from the outer layer to produce an elastic outer layer;

forming a first inner layer comprised of smooth muscle cells comprised of smooth muscle cell gel comprised of smooth muscle cells, fibrinogen, and thrombin; and

forming a second inner layer comprised of an endothelial cell gel comprised of endothelial cells, fibrinogen, and thrombin, wherein the endothelial cells are first mixed with a fibrinogen solution and then coaxially extruded with the thrombin, and wherein the first inner layer is between the elastic outer layer and the second inner layer.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the smooth muscle cells are first mixed with a fibrinogen solution and then coaxially extruded with the thrombin.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is removed by immersing the elastic outer layer in deionized water.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the outer layer is comprised of a biodegradable elastomer.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells are human induced pluripotent stem cell derived.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the smooth muscle cell gel is injected coaxially using a needle.

15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the smooth muscle cell gel and the endothelial cell gel are both extruded from different compartments of the same coaxial needle.

16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the second inner layer is formed after the first inner layer.

17 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the blood vessel has high elasticity and has a rough surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2023
From: HANN, SUNG YUN; CUI, HAITAO; ZHANG, LIJIE GRACE
To: THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 065769/0707 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63172461 · Apr 8, 2021
Related Publication 20240173117A1 · May 30, 2024
References Cited (8)
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International Search Report and Written Opinion issued Jun. 29, 2022 in counterpart International Application No. PCT/US2022/024094. 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
Piterina AV, Cloonan AJ, Meaney CL, Davis LM, Callanan A, Walsh MT, et al. ECM-based materials in cardiovascular applications: inherent healing potential and augmentation of native regenerative processes. International … [cited by applicant]