Development of polymeric vascular connection device for small diameter vascular by-pass

The work performed in the accomplishment of the PhD Thesis focused on the development of a new polymeric vascular re absorbable connection device has been implemented in 4 chapters whose content is summarized by following: 1. Review on Sutureless devices: this chapter includes a literature review of all devices for vascular anastomoses designed and constructed over the years; the research provides the basis from which we started. In particular, we performed a careful analysis of the advantages and benefits described for each class of device, divided according to their prevailing mechanism of action. Some basic biomechanics principles of intravascular tubes and stents are listed. 2. Preparation and characterization of biodegradble polymeric stents for small diameter vascular by pass: this chapter describes the preparation and chemical and physical characterization of the wet-spun biodegradable polymeric stents. The processing parameters for the production of small calibre tubular polymeric devices were investigated. 3. In vitro Biological Characterizations of Polymeric Vascular Connection Device for Small Diameter Vascular By-pass: This chapter is focused on the behaviour of HUVEC and Fibroblast cells when seeded on PCL and PHBHHx stents. Several in-vitro assays are taken into consideration to evaluate cell attachment and proliferation. 4. Preliminary ex-vivo and in-vivo study of sutureless microvascular anastomosis with endoluminal re-absorbable stent coupled with the laser welding technique: preliminary “ex-vivo” and “in-vivo” evaluation of the stents prototypes are presented to assess their suitability to withstand the surgical manoeuvres needed to insert them into carotid artery.