Biocompatibility Evaluation of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Directly onto Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic Materials for Microfluidic Applications

Abstract

Expansion of Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic materials into microfluidic systems technology has many beneficial applications due to their ability to combine complex three dimensional structures with optical, fluidic, electrical functions. Evaluations of the biocompatibility of these Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic materials are vital for expanding into biomedical research. The few biocompatibility studies on Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramics generally show negative cellular response to thick film pastes used in generating the electronic circuitry patterns. In this study, biocompatibility of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells was examined on Heraeus's Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic tape and two of their conductive pastes. The biocompatibility was assessed by monitoring cellular attachment and viability up to three days. This study examines the idea of leachates being detrimental to cells due to a study that suggests the possibility of harmful leachates. Results indicate difficulty in initial attachment of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells to sintered Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic tapes, but no hindrance of cellular attachment and growth onto the two conductive pastes. Outcomes also demonstrate that possible harmful leachates from Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic materials don't thwart cellular attachment and growth for up to three days of cell culturing. These results provide a basis for biological devices using Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic materials.