Abstract
Cell distribution and nutrient supply in 3D cell-laden hydrogel scaffolds are critical and should mimic the in vivo cellular environment, but been difficult to control with conventional fabrication methods. Here, we present a microfluidic direct writer (MFDW) to construct 3D cellladen hydrogel structures with openings permitting media exchange. The MFDW comprises a monolithic microfluidic head, which delivers coaxial streams of cell-laden sodium alginate and calcium chloride solutions to form hydrogel fibers. Fiber diameter is controlled by adjusting the ratio of the volumetric flow rates. The MFDW head is mounted on a motorized stage, which is automatically controlled and moves at a speed synchronized with the speed of fiber fabrication. Head geometry, flow rates, and viscosity of the writing solutions were optimized to prevent the occurrence of curling and bulging. For continuous use, a highly reliable process is needed, which was accomplished with the integration of a declogging conduit supplying a solvent to dissolve the clogging gel. The MFDW was used for layer-by-layer fabrication of simple 3D structures with encapsulated cells. Assembly of 3D structures with distinct fibers is demonstrated by alternatively delivering two different alginate gel solutions. The MFDW head can be built rapidly and easily, and will allow 3D constructs for tissue engineering to be fabricated with multiple hydrogels and cell types.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 387-395 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Biomedical Microdevices |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
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Keywords
- 3D cell scaffold
- Calciumalginate
- Cell-laden constructs
- Direct writing
- Microfluidic coaxial flow
- Tissue engineering
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Biology
Cite this
Microfluidic direct writer with integrated declogging mechanism for fabricating cell-laden hydrogel constructs. / Ghorbanian, Setareh; Qasaimeh, Mohammad; Akbari, Mohsen; Tamayol, Ali; Juncker, David.
In: Biomedical Microdevices, Vol. 16, No. 3, 01.01.2014, p. 387-395.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Microfluidic direct writer with integrated declogging mechanism for fabricating cell-laden hydrogel constructs
AU - Ghorbanian, Setareh
AU - Qasaimeh, Mohammad
AU - Akbari, Mohsen
AU - Tamayol, Ali
AU - Juncker, David
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - Cell distribution and nutrient supply in 3D cell-laden hydrogel scaffolds are critical and should mimic the in vivo cellular environment, but been difficult to control with conventional fabrication methods. Here, we present a microfluidic direct writer (MFDW) to construct 3D cellladen hydrogel structures with openings permitting media exchange. The MFDW comprises a monolithic microfluidic head, which delivers coaxial streams of cell-laden sodium alginate and calcium chloride solutions to form hydrogel fibers. Fiber diameter is controlled by adjusting the ratio of the volumetric flow rates. The MFDW head is mounted on a motorized stage, which is automatically controlled and moves at a speed synchronized with the speed of fiber fabrication. Head geometry, flow rates, and viscosity of the writing solutions were optimized to prevent the occurrence of curling and bulging. For continuous use, a highly reliable process is needed, which was accomplished with the integration of a declogging conduit supplying a solvent to dissolve the clogging gel. The MFDW was used for layer-by-layer fabrication of simple 3D structures with encapsulated cells. Assembly of 3D structures with distinct fibers is demonstrated by alternatively delivering two different alginate gel solutions. The MFDW head can be built rapidly and easily, and will allow 3D constructs for tissue engineering to be fabricated with multiple hydrogels and cell types.
AB - Cell distribution and nutrient supply in 3D cell-laden hydrogel scaffolds are critical and should mimic the in vivo cellular environment, but been difficult to control with conventional fabrication methods. Here, we present a microfluidic direct writer (MFDW) to construct 3D cellladen hydrogel structures with openings permitting media exchange. The MFDW comprises a monolithic microfluidic head, which delivers coaxial streams of cell-laden sodium alginate and calcium chloride solutions to form hydrogel fibers. Fiber diameter is controlled by adjusting the ratio of the volumetric flow rates. The MFDW head is mounted on a motorized stage, which is automatically controlled and moves at a speed synchronized with the speed of fiber fabrication. Head geometry, flow rates, and viscosity of the writing solutions were optimized to prevent the occurrence of curling and bulging. For continuous use, a highly reliable process is needed, which was accomplished with the integration of a declogging conduit supplying a solvent to dissolve the clogging gel. The MFDW was used for layer-by-layer fabrication of simple 3D structures with encapsulated cells. Assembly of 3D structures with distinct fibers is demonstrated by alternatively delivering two different alginate gel solutions. The MFDW head can be built rapidly and easily, and will allow 3D constructs for tissue engineering to be fabricated with multiple hydrogels and cell types.
KW - 3D cell scaffold
KW - Calciumalginate
KW - Cell-laden constructs
KW - Direct writing
KW - Microfluidic coaxial flow
KW - Tissue engineering
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84904175368&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84904175368&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10544-014-9842-8
DO - 10.1007/s10544-014-9842-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 24590741
AN - SCOPUS:84904175368
VL - 16
SP - 387
EP - 395
JO - Biomedical Microdevices
JF - Biomedical Microdevices
SN - 1387-2176
IS - 3
ER -