Microchannel Vascular Network Fabrication for Controlled Cell Seeding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioreactors and vascular network devices lack the ability to control fluid flow direction, culture physiologically relevant masses of differing geometries, and support biodegradable materials, and fail to temporarily retard or arrest flow in microchannels for effective cell seeding and culturing.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods for fabricating microchannel vascular network devices using biodegradable polymers and GelMA microgels to control fluid flow, allowing for the temporary arrest or acceleration of flow, and incorporating bioreactor systems to culture cells in a controlled environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flow is continuously maintained in microchannels, then nourishment supply and waste removal are ensured, but cell attachment is prevented due to flow detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic flow control by temporarily arresting flow during cell seeding phases and then resuming flow for nourishment supply. This periodic action allows the same microchannel system to alternately perform cell attachment and nutrient delivery functions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining cell attachment and ensuring continuous nourishment supply
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bioreactors are used for cell culturing, then cell culture is achieved, but flow direction control and multi-directional flow are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system is segmented into multiple independent microchannel networks that can be individually controlled. Each microchannel network can operate with independent flow directions, allowing the system to achieve multi-directional flow control and enhanced adaptability while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
3Reliability
If non-biodegradable materials are used in vascular network devices, then structural integrity is maintained, but biodegradability for implantation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The vascular network device utilizes composite materials that combine biodegradable polymers with structural reinforcement elements. The biodegradable polymer matrix provides the necessary structural integrity while maintaining biodegradability for eventual implantation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural strength and enabling biodegradation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of microchannel vascular network devices that support physiologically relevant cell cultures by controlling fluid flow, facilitating cell attachment, nourishment, and waste removal, while using biodegradable materials for implantation.
Implementation Method 1
a first GelMA microgel unit swells upon contact with a culture medium to retard or arrest a flow of the culture medium through a microchannel
Implementation Method 2
The microchannel vascular network device includes a plurality of GelMA microgel units distributed within a microchannel
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fabricating a microchannel device is provided. The method includes determining, based on a plurality of design criteria, a microchannel vascular network design. The microchannel vascular network design includes a first channel network, a second microchannel network based on the first channel network, and a structure for providing fluidic communication through between the first channel network and the second channel network. The method includes receiving, in electronic form, the microchannel vascular network design at a fabrication system. The fabrication system comprises a pre-polymer solution. The method includes forming, based on the microchannel vascular network design, a microchannel vascular network device of a polymer material at the fabrication system using the pre-polymer solution, thereby fabricating the microchannel vascular network device.