ETH Zurich spin-off revolutionizes medical training with lifelike silicone vascular models
Zurich, Switzerland — A groundbreaking innovation from ETH Zurich is set to transform medical training and reduce reliance on animal testing. Swiss Vascular, a spin-off from the university’s Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, has developed anatomically precise silicone models of cerebral blood vessels, offering a hyper-realistic platform for practicing complex medical procedures.
The initiative, spearheaded by doctoral students Fabian Landers and Pascal Theiler under the guidance of Professors Bradley Nelson and Salvador Pané i Vidal, began with research into magnetic microcapsules for targeted drug delivery. The team soon realized that traditional animal testing posed limitations and ethical concerns. Their solution: 3D-printed vascular models that replicate the elasticity and transparency of human tissue.
These silicone models allow medical professionals to simulate procedures involving catheters, stents, and other devices with unprecedented accuracy. “The entire team spent days practicing on their models to gain as much insight as possible before conducting the planned animal experiments,” said Theiler. “That preparation was a key contributor to the success of the experiments.”
Swiss Vascular’s models not only enhance training but also significantly reduce the need for animal testing, particularly involving large animals like pigs and primates. The transparent design enables clear visualization of instruments during procedures, a feature lacking in previous models.
This innovation aligns with a broader push in Switzerland and globally to refine, reduce, and replace animal experimentation in medical research. With Swiss Vascular’s lifelike models, the future of medical training looks more humane—and more effective—than ever.