Movable typing of full‐lumen personalized Vein‐Chips to model cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Abstract

Abstract Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a type of stroke associated with COVID‐19 vaccine‐induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia. The precise etiology of CVST often remains elusive due to the highly heterogeneous nature of its governing mechanisms, specifically, Virchow's triad that involves altered blood flow, endothelial dysfunction, and hypercoagulability, which varies substantially amongst individuals. Existing diagnostic and monitoring approaches lack the capability to reflect the combination of these patient‐specific thrombotic determinants. In response to this challenge, we introduce a Vein‐Chip platform that recapitulates the CVST vascular anatomy from magnetic resonance venography and the associated hemodynamic flow profile using the “Chinese Movable Type‐like” soft stereolithography technique. The resultant full‐lumen personalized Vein‐Chips, functionalized with endothelial cells, enable in‐vitro thrombosis assays that can elucidate distinct thrombogenic scenarios between normal vascular conditions and those of endothelial dysfunction. The former displayed minimal platelet aggregation and negligible fibrin deposition, while the latter presented significant fibrin extrusion from platelet aggregations. The low‐cost movable typing technique further enhances the potential for commercialization and broader utilization of personalized Vein‐Chips in surgical labs and at‐home monitoring. Future research and development in this direction will pave the way for improved management and prevention of CVST, ultimately benefiting both patients and healthcare systems.

Keywords

• 3D printing
• cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
• mechanobiology
• Organ on chip
• platelet
• Virchow's triad