Cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemic stroke and atherosclerosis, have emerged as significant global health challenges. A key pathological feature of these conditions is blood flow disruption caused by cerebral vascular stenosis, which in turn triggers inflammation and dysfunction in endothelial cells. However, the complexity of the in vivo environment makes it difficult to precisely unravel the intricate mechanisms linking hemodynamics to disease progression. Meanwhile, conventional in vitro models fail to replicate the physiological structure of blood vessels or the dynamic nature of blood flow, severely limiting breakthroughs in related research and hindering the development of minimally invasive medical devices. Recently, a study published in *Advanced Functional Materials* introduced an innovative solution: by combining mechanically enhanced extracellular matrix bioinks with 3D coaxial bioprinting technology, researchers successfully created an in vitro model of narrowed cerebral blood vessels that closely mimics physiological conditions. Meanwhile, Xi'an Derwei Medical, a company specializing in this field, is providing critical support for cerebrovascular disease research, medical device development, testing, and even market demonstrations—offering advanced, physiologically relevant vascular models along with comprehensive, integrated testing solutions.

Traditional research and equipment development are facing significant bottlenecks, but technological innovation combined with expert solutions offers a path to breakthrough.

The shear stress-responsive endothelial function in areas of cerebral vascular stenosis is a critical factor determining the progression of diseases like atherosclerosis—and also represents a key physiological feature that must be carefully replicated in the development of minimally invasive interventional medical devices. For years, researchers have primarily relied on organ-on-a-chip systems or traditional 3D culture models to explore the underlying mechanisms. However, these approaches come with significant limitations: organ-on-a-chip platforms suffer from insufficient scalability in channel geometry, making it challenging to mimic the chaotic blood flow patterns found in abnormal vascular structures. Meanwhile, conventional bioprinting techniques either lack the fine structural resolution needed to accurately replicate complex vascular architectures, or they compromise cell viability and bioink compatibility, failing to simultaneously meet the demands for both geometric fidelity and functional integrity in vascular models.

For medical device R&D companies and high-end scientific research medical labs, precise simulated vascular models are the core foundation for both development testing and market demonstrations. Xi'an Derwei Medical, a supplier specializing in cutting-edge medical testing equipment, specialized testing services, and tailored solutions, has keenly recognized this critical need. With extensive experience and deep technical expertise in the field of medical simulation, the company’s advanced vascular models not only replicate the physiological structure and mechanical properties of cerebral blood vessels but also allow researchers to simulate various pathological conditions reflecting different degrees of vascular stenosis—perfectly aligning with the exacting requirements of vascular environments in medical device development and testing. At the same time, these models serve as an intuitive and lifelike platform for compelling market presentations.

More importantly, the performance of the bioink directly determines the effectiveness of the model. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM), one of the ideal materials for vascular tissue printing, can retain the biochemical signals of natural tissues—such as collagen and elastin—but the decellularization process weakens its mechanical stability and causes it to shrink easily, making it difficult to support the construction of perfusable blood vessels. Therefore, developing a bioink that combines outstanding mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and printability has become the key to overcoming this critical technological bottleneck—aligning perfectly with DeWei Medical's stringent material-performance requirements in the field of medical simulation.

Innovative bio-ink + advanced simulation technology—balancing performance with practical value.

Development of decellularized extracellular matrix (VdECM) hydrogels derived from vascular tissue. a, b) Preparation of VdECM hydrogels via a physicochemical decellularization process: Pig vascular tissue is minced, treated with detergents, freeze-dried, and then dissolved to obtain decellularized VdECM powder. c) Quantitative analysis of biochemical components in both native tissue and VdECM tissue: (i) DNA content (n=4), (ii) Glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) content (n=3), and (iii) Collagen levels, which were lower in VdECM compared to native tissue (n=3). (iv) Elastin content in VdECM was significantly higher than in native tissue. , p ≤ 0.001; , p ≤ 0.01; , p ≤ 0.05). d) Histological comparison of native tissue and VdECM tissue using hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, and Van Gieson staining (scale bar, 100 μm).

Comparison of the properties of decellularized extracellular matrix (VdECM) bioinks derived from vascular tissue versus mixed bioinks. a) Schematic illustration of mechanical property differences between VdECM bioink and the mixed bioink. b) Visual observation of hydrogel shrinkage induced by varying concentrations (1–2% w/v) of VdECM (n = 3; , p ≤ 0.001; , p ≤ 0.01; ns, not significant). c) Bath-based 3D coaxial bioprinting was performed using VdECM and the hybrid bioink. d-g) Rheological results examining the dynamic mechanical properties of the bioink under various conditions. h) Live/dead staining and cell proliferation in the hybrid bioink compared to VdECM-dominated bioinks (1V, 2V, and 1V2C); scale bar, 100 μm; n = 3; , p ≤ 0.05; ns, not significant).

To address the limitations of traditional bioinks, the research team developed a mechanically enhanced bioink formulated from vascular tissue-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (VdECM). This innovative formulation is based on decellularized porcine aortic matrix—known for its easy accessibility, low cost, and remarkable similarity to human tissue in terms of ECM composition, which provides an ideal natural microenvironment for cell growth. Building on this foundation, the team incorporated collagen to minimize hydrogel shrinkage, while adding alginate to ensure immediate structural stability during the printing process. The result is a bioink that achieves an impressive 65-fold increase in dynamic modulus, while maintaining over 95% cell viability—perfectly balancing mechanical strength with exceptional biocompatibility.

This technological breakthrough aligns perfectly with the R&D philosophy behind Xian DeWei Medical’s simulated vascular models. In medical simulation practice, DeWei Medical also emphasizes the careful balance between material performance and physiological realism. Their simulated vascular models precisely tailor material formulations to replicate the elasticity, permeability, and hemodynamic characteristics of human blood vessels, enabling effective simulation of how vessels respond during device interventions. This capability provides a reliable testing environment for medical device development. Whether it’s functional models created using 3D bioprinting technology or DeWei Medical’s specialized simulated vascular products, both offer highly customized solutions tailored to diverse application needs—ranging from scientific research and development testing to market demonstrations.

Rheological analysis further confirmed that the bioink exhibits ideal shear-thinning properties and rapid recovery capabilities, providing a critical guarantee for embedded coaxial printing. Meanwhile, DeWei Medical has integrated material mechanical characteristics and compatibility with testing equipment as core considerations in its system development process, ensuring seamless collaboration between the simulated vascular models, testing devices, and software systems. This approach enables the company to deliver comprehensive "model + equipment + service" solutions tailored to meet customers' needs.

3D Coaxial Bioprinting + Customized Simulation Solutions for Precise Replication of Narrow Vascular Structures

An integrated approach for fabricating narrow cerebral vascular models using 3D bath-coaxial bioprinting.

Leveraging the optimized hybrid bioink, the research team successfully fabricated precise, narrow brain blood vessels using a bath-based 3D coaxial bioprinting technique. This innovative method employs a coaxial nozzle to directly extrude hollow, tubular structures, enabling the rapid printing of individual vessels in just 5 minutes. By fine-tuning the print bed speed, the team was able to precisely reduce the vessel diameter—from an initial 1,340 microns down to 551 microns—allowing for flexible control over the degree of stenosis and accurately replicating the pathological geometric features of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, perfusion tests confirmed that the printed vascular structures remained intact and leak-free, laying a robust foundation for hemodynamic studies.

Optimizing printing parameters for generating narrow vascular structures. a) Schematic illustrating how varying print bed speed affects tube diameter control. b) A 3D coaxial bioprinting setup immersed in a bath, designed for fabricating cerebral blood vessels. c) By adjusting the print bed speed, researchers achieved perfusable vascular catheters with controllable inner diameters and wall thicknesses (scale bar, 1 mm; n=3). d) Narrowed vessels were fabricated through transient speed adjustments (scale bar, 1 mm). e) 3D visualization of the printed vascular catheter, highlighting its perfusable lumen structure.

To meet the personalized needs of medical device R&D and testing, Xi'an Derwei Medical offers customized simulation vascular model services. Leveraging its deep expertise in medical simulation, the company can precisely tailor vascular parameters—such as diameter, stenosis rate, and wall thickness—to suit various device types (e.g., stents, catheters) and specific R&D stages. Additionally, it can even replicate complex anatomical features like vessel curvature and branching, ensuring that development tests closely mimic real-world clinical scenarios. Meanwhile, these highly realistic simulation vascular models are also ideal for market presentations, providing a clear and compelling visual demonstration of medical device operation workflows and clinical benefits, helping companies efficiently promote their products.

In addition, DeWei Medical’s services extend beyond the supply of simulation vascular models—they also include high-end medical testing equipment, medical software development, and test system engineering. This enables us to provide seamless turnkey testing solutions tailored specifically for minimally invasive interventional medical device companies and cutting-edge research medical labs. From custom model design and equipment setup to system integration and technical support, we ensure the efficient execution of both R&D and testing processes every step of the way.

Functional verification fully meets the standards, enabling dual advancements in both scientific research and industrial applications.

3D Coaxial Bioprinting of Functional Brain Vasculature. a) Schematic illustration of an established brain vascular chip platform designed for various culture systems. b) A brain vascular structure platform supporting either static or dynamic culture conditions. c) Bioprinted blood vessels loaded with green fluorescent protein–labeled human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), cultured for 7 days (scale bar, 100 μm). d) Endothelial cell viability exceeding 90%, as assessed by live/dead staining (n = 5; , p ≤ 0.001). e-g) Expression of junctional markers (CD31, ZO-1, and VE-cadherin), indicating endothelial barrier integrity (scale bar in e: 200 μm; scale bars in f and g: 50 μm). h) Permeability assay using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran with a molecular weight of 70 kDa (scale bar, 200 μm; n = 3; , p ≤ 0.01; ns, not significant). i) Size-dependent permeability analysis of different molecules (n = 3; **, p ≤ 0.001; ns, not significant).

To confirm the model's physiological relevance, the research team systematically validated the endothelial function and hemodynamic responses of the bioprinted vessels. The results showed that the seeded endothelial cells formed a continuous endothelial monolayer, highly expressing junctional markers such as CD31 and ZO-1, and exhibited size-dependent permeability characteristics. Moreover, under conditions of disturbed blood flow, inflammatory markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were significantly upregulated, successfully replicating the pathological inflammatory response triggered by cerebral vascular stenosis.

Bioprinting the hemodynamic response of a stenotic cerebral blood vessel. a) Schematic illustration of the cerebral vascular disease modeling process. b) A stenotic cerebral blood vessel fabricated using in-bath 3D coaxial bioprinting technology (scale bar, 200 μm). c) Mature endothelial cells expressing CD31 (scale bar, 100 μm). d) Wall shear stress and fluid velocity analysis conducted via computational fluid dynamics simulations. e) Fluorescent microbeads used to visualize fluid flow patterns, confirming the predicted hemodynamic changes at the site of the stenosis (scale bar, 500 μm). f, g) Enhanced expression of cell adhesion molecules—ICAM-1 (n=3) and VCAM-1 (n=4)—under conditions of disturbed blood flow (scale bar, 100 μm; **<|endofcontentisolation> , p ≤ 0.001; , p ≤ 0.05).

This functional breakthrough further underscores the core value of the simulated vascular model. Xi'an Derwei Medical’s simulated vascular model has also undergone rigorous performance validation, with its hemodynamic parameters and vascular wall mechanical properties closely mirroring those of human blood vessels. It accurately replicates the mechanical feedback and physiological responses encountered during device interventions, enabling R&D teams to swiftly assess product safety and efficacy—thereby accelerating the development cycle while significantly reducing costs. Meanwhile, in the research arena, this model can be used synergistically with bioprinted models, offering researchers a more versatile toolkit to explore the intricate links between hemodynamic disturbances and disease progression.

The future applications hold vast potential, as De helps the healthcare industry achieve high-quality growth.

The narrow cerebral vascular model developed in this study, combined with SynVasc's simulation vascular solutions from XianDeWei Medical, not only addresses the challenge of simultaneously replicating vascular geometry, the biological microenvironment, and dynamic blood flow conditions—issues that traditional models struggle with—but also boasts several key technological advantages: the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the bio-ink are adjustable, the parameters of the simulated vascular model can be customized, and XianDeWei Medical’s turnkey testing solution offers an "ready-to-use" capability, significantly boosting R&D and scientific research efficiency.

These features give it significant application value across multiple fields: In disease mechanism research, it can be used to unravel the link between hemodynamic disturbances and endothelial inflammation; in drug development, it serves as a high-throughput platform for screening potential medications; and in medical device innovation, it provides a precise testing and demonstration platform for minimally invasive interventional products like stents and catheters.

Xi'an Derwei Medical stated that it will continue to deeply invest in the fields of medical simulation, testing equipment, and system development. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as 3D bioprinting, the company aims to further enhance the physiological realism and customization capabilities of its simulated vascular models, while expanding the scope of its testing services. At the same time, Xi'an Derwei Medical plans to strengthen collaboration with research institutions and medical device companies, continuously refining its turnkey testing solutions to inject greater momentum into the high-quality growth of both cerebrovascular disease research and the medical device industry.

This research complements DeWei Medical's technical services, paving the way for new approaches in cerebrovascular disease research through multidisciplinary technology integration and industry empowerment. It also provides critical support for the development and commercialization of minimally invasive interventional medical devices, potentially accelerating breakthroughs in foundational research and enhancing clinical translation in this field—ultimately delivering more effective treatment options to patients with cerebrovascular diseases.