Creates a new vein with 3-D printer

Researchers at the German Fraunhoferinstituttet has managed to build artificial blood vessels using 3D printing technology , which can be used to build three-dimensional structures of various materials.

The technology will be displayed at the Biotechnica trade show in Hanover in October.

Since 3D printing technology is still too imprecise to make as small and fine structures kapillærårer, has the German researchers combined this technology with so-called photonic polymerisation which is developed within the polymer science.

Multifotonpolymerisering is a way of curing material that is to shoot short but very intensive laserpulsar into a floating material.

The laser stimulating molecule when in very small focal point inside the material so that the molecules bind together.

With this method the researchers have managed to produce very precise, flexible pipe structures for a three-dimensional building plan.

Must interact with the body

Scientists have "write" the veins with a special ink that consists of a mixture of synthetic polymers and the biomolecule. This is important so that the artificial blood vessels to interact with the body and not be thrust away.