Blood vessels created on 3D printer

German scientists have used a 3D printer to develop a network of blood vessels, which could be used for transplants of lab-created tissues and organs in the future.

The project by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute was led by Dr Guntar Tovar.

Until now, the stumbling block in tissue engineering has been the ability to produce a vascular system that can supply such organs with nutrients.

The blood vessels created by Dr Tovar and team were chemically bonded through exposure to UV radiation.

With a two-photon polymerisation process, researchers developed the finer capillary vessels, leading to a fine elastic structure.

Tests showed successful functioning of the two manufacturing processes, and the research team is now developing a combined system.

Dr Tovar said: "We are establishing a basis for applying rapid prototyping to elastic and organic biomaterials. The vascular systems illustrate very dramatically what opportunities this technology has to offer, but that's definitely not the only thing possible."

If the technology proves successful, it could be used to develop artificial vessels for bypass patients.

Copyright © Press Association 2011