The Tissue Engineering Laboratory of the Kemerovo Research Institute for Complex Problems of Cardiovascular Diseases has presented a medical device based on silk. With its help, vascular surgeons will be able to replace vessels affected by atherosclerosis (narrowing of the vessel due to the formation of cholesterol plaques on its walls), the Ministry of Education and Science reported.
The material is made from silk fibroin, which is obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm. Specialists used fibroin to build porous-fibrous structures using electrospinning (obtaining polymer fibers under the influence of electrostatic forces on an electrically charged polymer).
Scientists have already conducted the first experiments on animals. According to Nikita Kochergin, head of the laboratory, a silk patch was installed in the carotid artery of large animals. The result was satisfactory.
The vessel with the implanted silk patch became passable
The researcher added that the patch did not change its structure during the six months of observation of the operated animal. Testing of the medical device continues.
Earlier, the Meshalkin National Medical Research Center presented a bioprosthesis of the mitral valve of the heart from a pig's pericardial sac.
