Microstructured Fiber Artificial Blood-Vessel System for Tissue Vascularization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioengineered tissues lack vascularization, innervation, and efficient nutrient and oxygen supply, leading to limited thickness and functionality, and there is a need for real-time monitoring and manipulation of local tissue conditions for proper maturation and development.
Innovation Solution
A bioengineered system using microstructured fibers coated with bioink, embedded with microfluidic channels, ultrasonic transducers, and sensors to create an artificial blood-vessel system, providing nutrient and oxygen supply and enabling real-time monitoring and manipulation of local conditions for tissue maturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If diffusion-based nutrient supply is used in engineered tissues, then tissue thickness is limited to diffusion length (order of hundred microns), but this limits the thickness and functionality of the engineered tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue is segmented into thin layers separated by porous spacers, creating a stacked configuration that enables nutrient diffusion across multiple surfaces. This segmentation allows the overall tissue construct to achieve greater thickness while maintaining adequate nutrient supply to all cells through the layered architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar 2D tissue culture to three-dimensional stacked tissue construction. By stacking multiple tissue layers vertically with porous spacers providing spacing and nutrient access from multiple directions, the system achieves volumetric tissue growth while maintaining diffusion-based nutrient supply efficiency
2Shape
If cells are laid down in complex patterns in engineered tissue, then tissue structure complexity is improved, but many cells die or malfunction before implantation due to inadequate vascularization
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue construct is divided into multiple thin layers separated by porous spacers, ensuring that no cell is far from a nutrient supply surface. This segmentation maintains cell viability while allowing complex tissue patterns to be formed within each layer
Solution Approach 2:
Porous spacers are used to separate tissue layers and provide channels for nutrient and oxygen diffusion. The porous structure allows efficient mass transport through the tissue construct while maintaining the three-dimensional architecture and complex cell patterns
3Device complexity
If surface exchange of oxygen and nutrients is used in engineered tissue, then device complexity is reduced, but exchange efficiency is much less than vascular supply
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue is organized into stacked layers with porous spacers, creating multiple surfaces for nutrient exchange. This segmentation increases the total exchange surface area without requiring complex vascular structures, improving nutrient supply efficiency while maintaining relative simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The porous spacers serve multiple functions: they provide structural support between layers, create diffusion channels for nutrients and oxygen, and enable waste removal. This multi-functionality achieves vascular-like efficiency without the complexity of actual blood vessels
4Manufacturing precision
If real-time monitoring of local tissue conditions is implemented, then tissue maturation control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the tissue culture system to monitor local conditions such as oxygen levels, pH, and nutrient concentrations in real time. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of culture conditions to optimize tissue maturation while maintaining manageable system complexity through targeted monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing bioengineered tissue includes coating a microstructured fiber with a bioink containing a plurality of living cells. The microstructured fiber is embedded with microfluidic channels defining periodic outlet apertures, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, at least one chemical sensor, and at least one temperature sensor. The method further includes applying the coated fiber to an anatomic model of an organ. The microfluidic channels and outlet apertures of the fiber are configured to function as an artificial blood-vessel system to the bioengineered tissue, thereby supplying building material for the proliferation of the plurality of living cells, and allowing the bioengineered tissue to mature into functional tissue.