Researchers at the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University are developing an artificial blood vessel within the Molecular Materials Design (MMD) TechHub of the Faculty of Science that grows along with children. The project, carried out in Amsterdam and Leiden and recently published, focuses on young patients with congenital vascular disorders. By combining smart material selection with advanced manufacturing techniques, the team has created an implant designed to reduce future surgeries and improve long-term quality of life.
At the heart of this innovation is a synthetic blood vessel that adapts to a child’s natural growth. While current implants often need to be replaced over time, this new vessel features a dynamic structure. The material integrates biocompatible polymers with a carefully engineered fibre architecture that enables controlled stretching.
This approach is grounded in in-depth research into material properties and mechanical forces within the human body. By precisely designing the material’s microstructure, the vessel remains both strong and flexible under physiological conditions. This significantly lowers the risk of complications and repeat interventions. For medical technology, it marks an important step toward durable, growth-adaptive implants.
Read the full news release from the University of Amsterdam
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