Blood Vessels for Dialysis |

A new Japanese medical firm, Cyfuse Biomedical (Tokyo, Japan), is embarking on a most unique application of 3D printing. The goal of their research effort is to create new blood vessels. Koji Kuchiishi is the CEO of the firm; his previous endeavors include mobile phone design (at Panasonic), a patent associate, and a stint as a McKinsey consultant. His firm has significant venture backing (JAFCO, the largest Japanese Venture Capital firm and the University of Tokyo Edge Capital Fund, among others). Cyfuse’s developments are “protected” by patents in the US, China, Singapore, and Japan.

Using the subject’s own skin cells, Cyfuse anticipates bio-printing blood vessels that will be employed for dialysis therapy (or, perhaps, coronary artery bypass uses). Cyfuse does not believe that filling cells into scaffolds is the right approach, as is used by many firms to build their artificial hearts and kidneys. (They fear rejection response and also nutrient [including oxygen] diffusion issues.]

As such, they employ “spheroids” (cell aggregates) to build their artificial devices. This process builds upon an robotic device developed by Dr. Koichi Nakayama (also of Cyfuse) in concert with the Shibuya Kogyo Company, Ltd. (an engineering design firm) that produces the spheroids into the desired shapes. This modified 3D printing system employs 10 mm X 0.1 mm diameter nozzles (actually they are needles). These needles then “print” the cells that combine to form blood vessels. As of now, they have been able to produce 3 mm diameter blood vessels. By changing the needle sizes, Cyfuse believes it can adjust the thickness of the blood vessels produced.

Now, for their next development phase, they have engaged in a joint development effort with Saga University. This joint effort will determine what are the appropriate animal tests to perform, as well as the actual efficacy of the concept (animal testing). Their ultimate goal is to have these devices available for human use within 4 years.

This YouTube video will provide you with a better idea of how they do what they do…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlzZqIzK_WE
Time will tell whether spheroids or scaffolds are the way to go…