Regenerative Medicine Using Living Cell Tubes
Cell tubes, made entirely from a patient's own cells, are just as elastic as blood vessels but much stronger. Skin cells cultured into lumps are skewered on needles on a base, similar to a Kenzan, a tool used in Japanese flower arrangements, and formed into a tube. The technique, called the Kenzan Method, was made possible by a 3D bioprinter. A clinical trial is underway in Japan to transplant these tubes into humans in place of blood vessels. Studies are being done to apply them to nerves and organs.
The Kenzan Method involves stacking lumps of cells 0.5mm wide on top of each other
This researcher developed the Kenzan Method
Cell tubes can ease pain and stress caused by artificial blood vessels
We introduce a walking exercise to maintain healthy blood vessels