Toshiyuki Yaguchi

Fabrication of small-diameter polyurethane vascular grafts with microporous structure

Abstract Microporous polyurethane vascular grafts with a diameter of 3 mm were fabricated by a spray phase inversion technique (SPIT). The microporous structure and hydraulic permeability of the grafts were regulated by changing the fabrication conditions. The maximum hydraulic permeability of 26 ml/min/cm2, which was obtained in this series of grafts, satisfied the target value of about 10–40 ml/min/cm2, which our previous studies suggested would lead to satisfactory graft patency. Further investigation is, however, needed to optimize the microporous structure and hydraulic permeability of the grafts.