In Kemerovo, small-diameter vascular prostheses have been developed that are completely replaced by the patient’s living tissue over time. According to the governor of Kuzbass, Ilya Seredyuk, this new technology is a breakthrough and has no global equivalents.
The development is intended for replacing blood vessels with a diameter less than 3.5 millimeters. Previously used synthetic prostheses in such cases often led to the formation of blood clots and quickly lost their functionality. Because of this, patients frequently required repeat surgical interventions, which carried high risks of complications.
Specialists from Kuzbass have created a prosthesis based on biodegradable polymers with a medicinal coating. Following implantation, the structure is gradually replaced by the body’s own tissues, forming a fully functional, healthy blood vessel. According to the developers, this eliminates the need for repeated implant replacement.
The technology has already been tested on several animal species, including rats, sheep, and baboons. Developers claim that the Kuzbass team is the only one in the world to have completed such an extensive testing cycle for similar prostheses. The test results indicate that the product is suitable for blood vessels ranging from 3 to 7 millimeters in diameter and demonstrates stable performance without signs of failure.
Currently, the project is in the experimental development phase, conducted in collaboration with the company AO “NeoCor”. In the near future, the developers plan to submit documents to Roszdravnadzor for technology registration. Following this, clinical trials involving humans are expected to commence.
It is anticipated that in the future, the new vascular prostheses could be applied across several medical fields, including cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, traumatology, and maxillofacial surgery. Developers believe this technology could significantly expand treatment options for patients with severe vascular damage.
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