An Automated Modular Platform for Vascular Graft Assessment via Coronary-like Flow-Induced Stimulation

Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) represent a promising alternative for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, replicating the mechanical and biological complexity of native vessels remains a major challenge. Compliance mismatch, local hemodynamics, and insufficient endothelialization are recognized as key contributors to maladaptive remodeling and graft failure. These limitations highlight the urgent need for advanced experimental platforms and standardized physical stimulation procedures to investigate these underlying biomechanisms and support the development of more effective TEVGs. In this work, we present an automated, modular platform designed to quantitatively characterize graft compliance and replicate coronary hemodynamics. The system integrates automated experimental procedures within a modular, incubator-compatible design, enabling an intuitive setup and real-time monitoring of physical parameters. Its modular architecture and dedicated control algorithms provide high adaptability, enabling its application across a broad range of experimental conditions. Bench testing demonstrates that the platform can automatically reproduce the pressure regimes defined by ISO standard and generate coronary-like flow-induced stimuli. These results confirm the innovative capability of the system to provide controlled and physiologically relevant conditions suitable for the investigation of key phenomena involved in CABG failure. In perspective, the platform offers a valuable tool for advanced mechanobiological studies in vascular tissue engineering.