Microneedle Vascular Couplers with Heparin-Immobilized Surface Improve Suture-Free Anastomosis Performance

• DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b01097
• Publication Date: 2018-10-22T18:46:14Z
• Authors: Dae-Hyun Kim; Jung Bok Lee; Mi-Lan Kang; Ji Hwan Park; Jin You; SeongMi Yu; Ju Young Park; Seung Bae Ryu; Gyeung Mi Seon; Jeong-Kee Yoon; Mi Hee Lee; Young Min Shin; Ki Dong Park; Jong-Chul Park; Woo Soon Jang; Won Shik Kim; Hak-Joon Sung
• Keywords: cytocompatibility; 0301 basic medicine; tubular construct; vascular anastomosis; 03 medical and health sciences; microneedles; 610; heparin coating; 600

To make up for the shortcomings of the suture-based approach and current coupler devices including long suturing time, exhaustive training, additional mechanical setting, and narrow working windows for size and type of diverse vessel types, a new, suture-free microneedle coupler was developed in this study. The needle shape for improved anastomosis performance and the condition for antithrombotic surface immobilization were determined. In particular, the polymer materials help to maintain healthy phenotypes of main vascular cell types. The performance in rabbit and porcine models of end-to-end vascular anastomosis indicate that this device can serve as a potent alternative to the current approaches.