Biosynthetic blood vessel
In 10% of all blood vessel surgeries, you can't use the patient's own vessels as "spare parts". Scientists in Gothenburg is trying to produce biosynthetic blood vessels which the human body will accept as it's own.
1. Nourished with dextrose, bacterias will be grown weaving tube-shaped cellulose. The tube, which consists of 99% water, will provide a supportive stem for the vessel, built as an extremely porous weave of threads.
2. The fine threads of cellulose makes the weave both elastic and durable, allowing it to expand at every pulse wave.
3. During 6-8 weeks the scientists allow muscle cells from the patient's varicose vein to grow and clothe the outside of the tube.
4. Lastly, for a couple of days the inside of the tube is being dressed with growing endotel cells. After that the vessel is ready to be inserted through surgery.

Material: Interview over the phone with a contact person at the company.
Tools: Illustrator to define the outlines. After that the work was moved to Photoshop for colouring, structures and shadows.

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