Optically Transparent Flow Chamber for Real-Time Cell Adhesion Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for simulating blood flow and cell adhesion in vitro face challenges in accurately measuring hemodynamic forces and imaging peripheral cell adhesion events, particularly due to the opacity of vascular grafts, which limits real-time observation and assessment of cell interactions on clinically relevant biomaterials.
Innovation Solution
A novel flow chamber design that allows for real-time imaging of cell adhesion on decellularized human umbilical vein scaffolds under controlled shear stresses, featuring a parallel plate flow channel with an optically transparent viewing window for high-magnification fluorescence microscopy, enabling the observation of endothelial cell dynamics and platelet adhesion on a natural basement membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vascular grafts are made opaque to maintain structural integrity and clinical relevance, then biomaterial strength and physiological fidelity are improved, but real-time imaging capability and observation of cell adhesion events deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow chamber is segmented into distinct functional zones: an opaque section for housing the vascular graft substrate and an optically clear section for imaging. This segmentation allows the graft to maintain its structural integrity and clinical relevance while the clear section enables real-time observation of cell adhesion events without compromising biomaterial strength
Solution Approach 2:
The flow chamber exhibits local quality by having different optical properties in different sections. The section containing the vascular graft is opaque to maintain structural integrity, while a specific viewing section is made optically clear to enable imaging. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing both opaque structural regions and transparent imaging regions to coexist in the same device
2Ease of operation
If parallel plate flow chambers are used to simulate blood flow in vitro, then cell adhesion processes become controllable and measurable, but accurate measurement of variable hemodynamic forces across different vascular geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow chamber enables precise control of flow parameters (flow rate, shear stress, flow direction) while maintaining a simplified parallel plate geometry. By controlling the flow rate and channel dimensions, physiologically relevant shear stresses can be applied and calculated accurately, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision
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 comprehensive assessment of engineered vascular surfaces, maintaining endothelial cell viability and allowing for the observation of dynamic cell adhesion events, such as platelet aggregation and neutrophil rolling, under physiological shear conditions, facilitating the evaluation of biomaterials before implantation.
Implementation Method 1
These devices produce a parabolic flow velocity profile between two planar surfaces, subjecting each surface to uniform fluid shear stress
Implementation Method 2
produce a parabolic flow velocity profile between two planar surfaces, subjecting each surface to uniform fluid shear stress
Implementation Method 3
an optically transparent viewing window disposed adjacent the flow channel to view the sample in real time
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to a device (or “flow chamber”), methods of making a device, methods of using a device, and the like.