... an implant takes over the function of the damaged valve. The researchers can produce the prostheses automatically using a new type of dispensing tool. The 3D droplet dispensing kinematics developed by the team of scientists should make it possible to combine different polymer shore hardnesses on free-form surfaces with an accuracy of 25 µm. The aim is to achieve soft 3D-modelable transitions in material properties. Together with four industrial partners and the Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, the researchers developed a production system with which the venous valve prostheses can be manufactured automatically from the plastic polycarbonate ethane.