Designing and constructing a prototype standalone bioreactor using 3D printing and finite element analysis : a tool to define osteogenic differentiation in a 3D mechanical environment

Tissue engineering aims to develop methods to construct tissues in vitro that have identical tissue-specific morphological, biological, chemical, and mechanical properties to those cultured in vivo. In vivo tissues are embedded into complex environments, communicating both with nearby zones and with the whole organism, which determines the tissue-specific function. Special instruments called bioreactors are used to mimic these conditions outside of the body. Bioreactors provide a controlled environment where specific parameters can be determined by the researcher, to match desired biological condition. In this project, an existing bioreactor system was redesigned and improved using computer aided design and 3D printing technology to make it operational for future studies involving osteogenic differentiation. This bioreactor system provides compression on scaffolds located in a chamber. It also has indirect perfusion, maintains a temperature of 37°C when running, and can maintain an optimal pH value of (7.2 to 7.6) for osteogenic differentiation. The main issues in the previously-existing system were: sterility problems; bulging of the bioreactor chamber during heating, leakage of culture media along joints during bioreactor operation; and lack of pH stability. Several iterations of changes by trial and error were made to improve the overall design. Using μCT technology, a screw mechanism was attached to the chamber which proved to be an important addition. An internal plate system was implemented to ease scaffold placement among other uses. Further ideas for future development were also discussed. A manual was made for the bioreactor and protocols were developed for cleaning and sterilizing the chamber. Bioactive scaffolds seeded with mesenchymal stem cells were used in test experiments. Additionally, a finite elements analysis was carried out on the bioreactor chamber to quantify the compression and perfusion speed necessary for viability of mesenchymal stem cells inside the bioreactor system. A flow analysis of culture media was also analyzed for different chamber designs.

Author dc:creator

• Sigurður Rúnar Rúnarsson 1991-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Heilbrigðisverkfræði
• Meistaraprófsritgerðir
• Vefjafræði
• Þrívíddarprentun
• Tækni- og verkfræðideild
• Biomedical engineering
• Tissues
• Three-dimensional imaging
• School of Science and Engineering

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/32370

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/32370