Characterization of a bioinspired elastin-polypropylene fumarate material for vascular prostheses applications

Vascular prostheses are widely used devices fundamental to avoid the effect of life-threatening diseases and defects. Besides a long experience in the fabrication of biomaterials for vascular applications, many issues still remain unattended. In particular, obtaining a bio-resorbable and bio-active scaffold is a challenge of paramount importance. We present a novel application in which a promising biodegradable polymer, poly-propylene fumarate (PPF), is printed using three dimensional laser-induced cross-linking micromachining device. To enhance the biological role of the scaffold, a bio-inspired approach was taken, by coating the surface of the PPF with elastin, the main constituent of the innermost layer of natural veins and arteries.