Dependance of Lindenmayer System (L-System) Parameters on Flow Characteristics in Engineered Biomaterials

Abstract

Large thick tissue constructs have reported limited success primarily due to the inability of cells to survive deep within the scaffold. Without access to adequate nutrients, cells placed deep within the tissue construct will die out, leading to non-uniform tissue regeneration. In this research, we present several Lindenmayer system generated conduit networks in two and three-dimensional architecture with several degrees of complexity. The conduit network maintains a parent-child relationship between each branch of the network. Several L-system parameters have been studied—branching angle, branch length, ratio of parent to child branch diameter etc. We have developed a multi-physics based numerical model to predict the dependence of these L-system design parameters on the flow characteristics within the tissue construct. The implication of the simulation results will be discussed in terms of the design of 3D in-vitro tissue model systems.