Biomedical engineering – Leibniz University Hannover

3D print, heart anatomy model, vascular implants (white)

We humans want to live freely and independently into old age. However, ageing is often associated with health-related restrictions – for example, due to the increased blockage of arteries (see photo below: human artery with thrombus). This can even have life-threatening consequences if the oxygen supply is critically disrupted during a heart attack (see photo: heart anatomy model, vascular implants).

With the development of customised vascular prostheses, biomedical engineering is making an important contribution to counteracting the deterioration of organs and cardiovascular diseases. The digital technology of 3D printing offers an excellent possibility for creating tubular support tissue (see photo: filigree mesh structure of a multi-layered vessel wall section for optimal cell colonisation). The manufacturing technique therefore does not involve animal products or foreign vessel donations.

Filigree mesh structure of a multi-layered vessel wall section for optimal cell colonisation

This form of biomedical technology is not just of interest to older people. All age groups can benefit enormously from this personalised form of medicine. 3D printing also enables the production of complicated implants – for example, for children with vascular anomalies based on individualised image data from the young patients.

Additional information about biotesting and tissue engineering.

At the Institute of Technical Chemistry, Prof. Dr. med. Cornelia Blume and her work group are studying new implant materials in 3D cell culture models. Among other things, she is working on the cultivation of the body’s own cells and tissue in special bioreactors. The focus is on the Blood Vessel Prostheses research project, which is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).