Mercerization of tubular bacterial nanocellulose for control of the size and performance of small-caliber vascular grafts

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a natural polysaccharide synthesized principally by Komagataeibatacter xylinus which can be formed into tubes and other shapes through the use of special bioreactors. Although tubular BNC has considerable potential as a small-caliber vascular graft (<6 mm), its poor mechanical properties in its hydrogel form, lack of compliance, and its thick walls that do not match natural vessels limit their potential clinical...