Microfluidic Bioscaffold Manufacturing via Shear Stress Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manufacturing bioscaffolds using bio-derived extracellular matrix materials face challenges in aligning fibers with diameters in the hundreds of nanometers in various directions to create suitable three-dimensional structures for tissue and organ replication, due to difficulties in controlling viscosity and requiring expensive equipment for electrospinning, which results in low production yields and poor reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device is used to manufacture bioscaffolds by injecting a biofluid containing extracellular matrix components through a channel with micropillars that induce shear stress, promoting gelation and alignment of the biofluid, thereby forming a bioscaffold with high biomimicry suitable for tissue transplantation and cell culture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If electrospinning is used to manufacture bioscaffold, then fiber alignment and three-dimensional structure can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex electrospinning mechanical system with a microfluidic device that uses controlled fluid flow and shear stress to achieve fiber alignment. The microfluidic channel with specific geometry (width, height, length) and surface treatment creates shear stress that aligns bio-derived fibers without requiring expensive electrospinning equipment, high voltage power supplies, or precise control of temperature, humidity, and airflow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the controlling parameters from electrical properties and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, airflow) to fluid flow parameters (flow rate, shear stress). By controlling the flow rate of the material solution through the microfluidic channel and adjusting the shear stress applied to the biofluid, the patent achieves fiber alignment with a simpler device that does not require expensive environmental control systems.
2Shape
If electrospinning is used to manufacture bioscaffold, then fiber alignment can be achieved, but productivity decreases due to difficult processing and poor reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the controlling parameters from electrical properties and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, airflow) to fluid flow parameters (flow rate, shear stress). By controlling the flow rate of the material solution through the microfluidic channel and adjusting the shear stress applied to the biofluid, the patent achieves fiber alignment with a simpler device that does not require expensive environmental control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of fluid flow through the microfluidic channel, allowing real-time adjustment of shear stress and flow rate to optimize fiber alignment and production. The microfluidic device enables continuous processing with controllable flow rates, improving reproducibility and productivity compared to the static and difficult-to-control electrospinning process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bio-derived materials are used for ECM manufacturing, then immunogenicity risk is reduced, but viscosity control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the microfluidic channel as an intermediary structure that applies shear stress to the bio-derived material solution. The channel geometry (width, height, length) and surface treatment act as mediators to control the alignment and gelation of bio-derived fibers without requiring precise viscosity control of the material solution, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining low immunogenicity risk.
4Shape
If expensive devices and environmental control systems are used for electrospinning, then fiber alignment can be achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex electrospinning mechanical system with a microfluidic device that uses controlled fluid flow and shear stress to achieve fiber alignment. The microfluidic channel with specific geometry (width, height, length) and surface treatment creates shear stress that aligns bio-derived fibers without requiring expensive electrospinning equipment, high voltage power supplies, or precise control of temperature, humidity, and airflow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the controlling parameters from electrical properties and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, airflow) to fluid flow parameters (flow rate, shear stress). By controlling the flow rate of the material solution through the microfluidic channel and adjusting the shear stress applied to the biofluid, the patent achieves fiber alignment with a simpler device that does not require expensive environmental control systems.
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
The microfluidic device effectively aligns extracellular matrix components and cells within the bioscaffold, enhancing biomimicry and reproducibility, and provides a bioscaffold with improved biological activity and tissue engineering characteristics for transplantation and cell culture applications.
Implementation Method 1
a channel including one or more micropillars configured to induce shear stress to the injected biofluid
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect relates to a microfluidic device and use thereof. The microfluidic device of the present disclosure includes one or more micropillars therein, and thus, when the flow of blood is formed inside the device, shear stress is generated by the micropillars, leading to production of blood clots. The blood clots thus produced are vascularized and, when a wound site is treated therewith, simple wounds, viral infection caused by wounds, and chronic wounds can be significantly ameliorated. Blood vessels formed in the blood clots are aligned in the direction of blood flow so that a three-dimensional ECM structure suitable for tissues and organs can be manufactured.