UV-assisted layer-by-layer fabrication of photocrosslinked silk fibroin complex tubular structures: towards a bioabsorbable endoluminal anastomosis coupler.

Authors

Mariana Rodrigues, Benedetta Isella, Bernhard Hruschka, Christian Uhl, Alexander Loewen, Stefan Jockenhoevel, Alexander Kopp

Published in

Biomaterials science. Jul 20, 2026. Epub Jul 20, 2026.

Abstract

Sutureless microvascular anastomosis requires dedicated mechanical connectors that reduce surgery time and tissue trauma. Clinically established mechanical couplers are widely used for venous anastomosis, but rely on vessel eversion, which limits their translation to arterial applications. Bioabsorbable endoluminal flared tubular structures may enable a faster and less traumatic alternative while supporting re-endothelialisation during degradation. Herein, a dedicated fabrication platform and material formulation are systematically investigated to enable controlled structure and mechanical performance. This study introduces a reproducible fabrication method based on a modular substrate design for silk fibroin flared tubular structures through UV-assisted dip-coating. A riboflavin/potassium persulfate photocrosslinking system was investigated as a layer stabilisation method during fabrication, comprising three formulations and two stabilisation times to assess process controllability. Catalyst concentration and stabilisation time enabled fine control over the stabilisation procedure. This resulted in tuneable structural integrity and mechanical performance, where optimised photocrosslinking conditions enabled an elastic modulus increase from 19.19 ± 1.23 MPa to 29.03 ± 3.34 MPa and burst pressures in the range of 1900-2300 mmHg. Furthermore, the layer-by-layer fabrication and crosslinking chemistry were found to significantly influence degradation behaviour, promoting a multi-surface enzymatic erosion mechanism that differs from conventional silk fibroin degradation behaviour. This highlights the potential to modulate both initial mechanical performance and its progression during degradation through control of layer stabilisation kinetics. The developed biopolymeric constructs demonstrated cytocompatibility and mechanical properties promising for vascular applications, supporting their potential for further development as intraluminal devices for arterial anastomosis.

PMID:
42473861
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Jul 2026.

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