Turkish biotech firm produces artificial veins

ISTANBUL

A Turkish biotech company has successfully developed artificial veins that will be used in cardiovascular and neurovascular patients after further testing.

INVAMED-RD Global announced in a statement on Tuesday that it produced artificial veins in laboratories using interdisciplinary research and advanced health technologies developed by expert engineers and scientists.

The prosthetic veins have almost the same level of flexibility as normal veins in a human body, thanks to biotechnological infrastructure and specific 3D bioprinters, it said.

They will be employed in cardiovascular and neurovascular patients because the production of artificial veins through nanotechnology biopolymers enables patients to live their lives without using medicines that help prevent blood clots.

The artificial veins were created using high-temperature Teflon technology, biopolymer, and 3D bioprinters, the statement said, adding that they constitute a significant advancement in medical technology that gives hope to patients awaiting organ transplantation as the prosthetic veins can fully attach to living tissue.

Lab tests have shown that these veins are compatible with organic cells in the human body, and patient-specific veins may be created using 3D electrospinning, 3D printers, and laser scanning machines.

Rasit Dinc, the company's head, said the laboratory studies were successful and that the artificial veins would be used for human health if animal trials and clinical studies are successful.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas