Tracheal defects constitute severe respiratory disorders arising from multifactorial etiologies, with current therapeutic modalities significantly constrained by anatomical limitations, compromised vascularization at anastomotic sites, and frequent graft rejection. These challenges are further compounded by the inability to deliver continuous and quantitatively controlled regenerative signals, thereby limiting the efficacy of tissue regeneration and vascular reconstruction. Herein, we designed a mechanically driven, 3D-printed piezoelectric system (PFT) capable of transducing mechanical energy into therapeutic cues upon exogenous ultrasound activation. By leveraging the synergistic interplay between ultrasound-induced micro-expansion of the patch for effective defect occlusion and the simultaneous electromechanical transduction of regenerative signals, this system enables coordinated enhancement of both structural sealing and vascular reconstruction, thereby facilitating efficient and integrated tracheal defect repair. As a sustainable external modulation method, the mechanically-driven expandable patch system can serve as a broadly applicable strategy to enhance regenerative therapy for various systemic organs dependent on vascularization.
Zhao et al. (Mon,) studied this question.