COMPUTER-AIDED 2 DIMENSIONAL CAPILLARY VASCULATURE DESIGNING AND ENGINEERING

Abstract

Objectives: Developing of tissue-engineered vasculature is one of the crucial challenging issues facing tissue engineering. Recent high resolution surface modification techniques, which has enable to print with less than ten micrometers resolution, would be a viable technique for manufacturing the engineered tissues. To produce engineered capillary vasculature using these techniques, we designed 2-D capillary vasculature patterns and evaluated them with CAD-CAE software for micro fluidics. Methods: 2-D capillary vasculature patterns was designed; one arteriole was branched one after another 5 times to 32 capillary vessels, and next, each capillaries joined one after another 5 times to one venule again. Based on this model, several parameters were changed, such as the sectional shape, and the angle of channel corners. These models were evaluated, using a micro fluidics CFD software, Coventor Ware™. Results: As for the sectional shape of channels, the rectangular shape was better than circular one, if the thickness of the flow channels were equal. And the roundly curved corners were preferable to rectangular corners. Conclusion: CAD/CAE techniques will be useful in the optimal designing of engineered tissues. We are challenging to produce capillary vasculature onto the geometrically designed 2-D pattern, using surface modification techniques and endothelial cell culture techniques.