Microfil silicone rubber injection compound

After 2, 4 and 8 weeks, rabbits were anaesthetized for microangiography. The abdominal aorta and postcava were exposed through a median abdominal incision. The postcava and abdominal aorta were incised and ligated proximally. After a tube was inserted into the abdominal aorta and the lower limb vessels were flushed with approximately 1 L of normal saline containing heparin sodium (50 IU/ml), the lower limb vessels were fixed with 500 ml of 4% formaldehyde through the abdominal aorta. Subsequently, 50 ml of Microfil® silicone rubber injection compound (Flow Tech, Inc., Carver, MA) was injected through the abdominal aorta to infuse the lower limb vessels. All samples were harvested and fixed for 2 weeks with 4% formaldehyde. Then, all samples were treated with 10% EDTA as a decalcifying solution for 2 months. The blood vessels around the scaffolds were evaluated by micro-CT, and the blood vessels inside the scaffolds were observed by serial transverse sectioning.