SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING BIOENGINEERED TUBULAR GRAFT PROSTHESES

摘要

An apparatus for forming a tube construct from a planar sheet matrix includes
a stand
supporting two opposing mounts and spanning between the opposing mounts are a
mandrel, a porous rod, and a spring-loaded roller held in parallel
arrangement; a guide for
aligning and engaging the mandrel on the opposing mounts; and a means for
imparting a
tangential force on the planar sheet matrix to prevent wrinkling. The porous
rod has a
lumen running its length and has pores that communicate between the lumen of
the porous
rod through to the surface of the rod for water to uniformly pass through. The

spring--loaded roller runs along the length of the porous rod creating a line
of contact between the
roller and the mandrel. The mandrel is contacted with a planar sheet of matrix
and is
rotated such that successive portions of the matrix contact the porous rod and
become
lightly moistened by the water passing through the pores of the porous rod and
become
wrapped around the mandrel to form a tube construct.