Fig. 1

Structural characterization of small-diameter grafts, surgical procedure overview, and remodeling at 3 months post-implantation. A As-fabricated PCL/PDO grafts have an internal diameter of ~ 1.7 mm and length of 15 mm. B Cross-sectional scanning electron microscope images shows wall thickness of ~ 100 μm (magnified in the inset). C Scanning electron microscope image shows a side view of graft with 3D reinforcement and a microfibrous outer layer. D Gross image of isolated infrarenal abdominal aorta and corresponding PCL/PDO graft prior to implantation. E Gross surgical view of PCL/PDO graft anastomosis. The rat’s head is situated beyond the upper left quadrant of the image. F Graft remodeling at 3 months post-implantation. White arrows indicate the formation of tiny visible blood vessels on the engineered graft. Scale bar, 5 mm. G A 1.7-mm graft explanted from a rat at 3 months post-implantation demonstrates the formation of endothelium (black arrow, a) and an adventitial layer (black arrow, b). H A 1.7-mm PCL/PDO graft was explanted from the rat aorta at 3 months post-implantation (arrow indicates anastomotic suture line)