Cardiovascular disease, which accounts for about 30% of global causes of death, can lead to severe complications such as angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Medical devices that expand blood vessels are used for treatment, but existing methods carry the risk of side effects within the body, necessitating improvement. Recently, domestic researchers developed a next-generation vascular scaffold that improves strength and flexibility and enables real-time blood pressure measurement using 3D printing technology.
Kim Dong-soo, a postdoctoral researcher at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, and Lee Dong-won, a professor at Chonnam National University Cardiovascular RLRC Center, announced on the 18th that they have developed a 'smart hybrid vascular scaffold (SH-BVS).' The research results were published in the international journal 'Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical' in January.
In the treatment of cardiovascular disease, metal stents are primarily used to widen blood vessels. However, metal stents remain permanently in the body and can cause side effects such as inflammatory reactions or thrombosis. The bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), which naturally dissolves in the body, was commercialized in 2016 but had limitations due to insufficient strength for stable vascular support and a lack of flexibility to aid in blood vessel contraction and relaxation.
The researchers noted that the existing BVS, made from a single material, has limitations in strength and flexibility. They created a composite structure by combining biodegradable polymers polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA) using 3D printing. PCL maintains flexible properties even at body temperature due to its low melting point and has high elasticity, restoring its original shape after deformation. In contrast, PLA provides stable mechanical support during vascular dilation due to its high tensile strength and hardness, making it structurally robust.
The developed SH-BVS is customized through 3D printing to provide optimized support for individual vascular structures and gradually decomposes in the body, reducing side effects. Experimental results showed that a single material PLA scaffold was damaged when bent at 60 degrees, while the SH-BVS was nearly perfectly restored even after being bent to 180 degrees.
The researchers integrated a 'LC-type pressure sensor' into the SH-BVS, enabling real-time monitoring of changes in vascular pressure without the need for power supply. The LC-type pressure sensor detects pressure changes and transmits data to an external reader. Based on this, early detection of vascular stenosis or re-stenosis can be accomplished. Testing the SH-BVS under conditions similar to actual blood flow confirmed that the embedded sensor maintains structural stability while detecting pressure within the blood vessel.
Kim Dong-soo noted, "With the SH-BVS technology, BVS is expected to evolve from a simple physical support device to a smart medical device capable of real-time health monitoring." Professor Lee Dong-won stated, "Through 3D printing technology, it is possible to produce BVS optimized for the patient's vascular characteristics, and it will be possible to maximize therapeutic effects by simultaneously securing flexibility and support strength."
References
Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2024.136667