UK Researchers Create Artificial Artery Using Nanotechnology

George Hamilton, professor of vascular surgery, leads a team of researchers that have developed a bypass graft from a polymer material that mimics the natural pulsing of human blood vessels.

Researchers at London’s Royal Free Hospital have used nanotechnology tools to develop a bypass graft from a polymer material, reports BBC News. The material enables the graft to mimic the natural pulsing of human blood vessels and deliver nutrients to the body’s tissues. The ultimate aim is to use the graft in coronary artery and lower-limb arterial surgery, which doctors say could reduce amputations and heart attacks.

Human trials are set to begin this year. If the trials—funded by a grant of £500,000—are successful, the device could potentially help thousands of patients with vascular disease.

The grafts were originally made from PTFE, which is noted for its nonstick properties. This type of material is suitable for larger grafts, say researchers, but it produces poor results in grafts smaller than 8 mm because the materials cannot pulse and their surfaces stimulate blood clotting.

“There is a high failure rate using rigid small-diameter bypass grafts,” says George Hamilton, professor of vascular surgery, who leads the team of researchers with Alexander Seifalian, professor of nanotechnology and tissue repair. Hamilton is quoted in a press release posted on the Royal Free website. “Many patients who have needed smaller bypass grafts but have not had suitable veins, have had limbs amputated. Some patients were unable to have coronary bypass surgery, have had heart attacks and died. Led by Professor Seifalian, we have used nanotechnology to develop this material to mimic as closely as possible the natural artery,” says Hamilton.

The new micrograft pulses rhythmically to match the beat of the heart, explains Hamilton. Moreover, the new graft material is strong, flexible, resistant to blood clotting and doesn’t break down, which Hamilton calls “a major breakthrough.”

The team also found that coating the inner lining of the material with certain molecules by nanotechnology stimulated circulatory endothelial stem cells to line the graft. These cells, known for their ability to renew themselves, can help to repair the damaged blood vessel even further.

In the long term, Professors Hamilton and Seifalian and their team hope to develop a range of “off-the-shelf” grafts, stents and devices for use by cardiac and vascular surgeons.

Tags: artery, Hamilton, PTFE, Royal Free Hospital