Arterial coupler re-design: Adjustable stent/cuff anastomosis

This project aims to develop a biocompatible, adjustable, and easy-to-use microsurgical arterial anastomosis device that reduces operative time while preserving vessel integrity and minimizing complications.

Project Overview

Microsurgical arterial anastomosis is a cornerstone of reconstructive surgery, enabling tissue transfer and limb salvage. Current techniques are highly time consuming, technically demanding, and are highly dependent on surgeon expertise. Suturing vessels as small as 1 mm can take even the most experienced surgeons 30-60 minutes, extending operating times and jeopardizing tissue viability. Existing stent-based approaches introduce complications by contracting the vessel lumen and lack adaptability across the wide range of vessel diameters encountered in clinical practice. There is a critical need for a biocompatible, adjustable, and easy-to-use device that can reliably reduce operative time while maintaining vessel integrity and minimizing complications.