Abstract
We described a sacrificial molding for the formation of microfluidic networks. In this molding, the micromolded calcium alginate (Ca-Alg) is introduced as a sacrificial template. The basis of this procedure is fabricating a micromolded Ca-Alg hydrogel and encapsulating this model within a second gel and removing it by ion-exchange to leave a microchannel in the remaining gel. This microfluidic system can readily deliver solutes into the channels and even control the transport of solutes from channels into the bulk of the gels. Furthermore, the perfused vascular channels can sustain the metabolic activity of encapsulated cells, indicating the feasibility of this microfluidic system in the field of tissue engineering.
Highlights
We propose the use of a calcium alginate (Ca-Alg) hydrogel as a sacrificial template for the formation of 3D cylindrical lumens
We intended to introduce calcium alginate hydrogel as a sacrificial template for the formation of microfluidic networks. e basis of this method is fabricating a micromolded calcium alginate hydrogel and encapsulating this model in a second gel and removing it by ion-exchange to leave microchannels in the remaining gel (Figure 1). e micromolded Ca-Alg hydrogel is firstly obtained by injecting 1.5% (w/v) sodium alginate solution into the CaCl2 solution (100 mM) through a 32-gauge steel nozzle and immersed for up to 30 min. e diameters of extruded Ca-Alg can be controlled by varying the nozzle diameter and extrusion flow rate parameters
We showed that the Ca-Alg was a suited sacrificial template for creating densely populated tissue constructs with perfusable microchannels
Summary
E basis of this method is fabricating a micromolded calcium alginate hydrogel and encapsulating this model in a second gel and removing it by ion-exchange to leave microchannels in the remaining gel (Figure 1). E exchange of solutes within a bulk gel is generally conducted in two steps: convective mass transfer between the fluid and the walls of the microchannels and molecular diffusion between the walls and the bulk of the matrix (Figure 3(b)). In contrast to the small molecule, the diffusive motion of the FITC-BSA is hindered within the microchannels of the matrix due to the barrier effect of the formed membrane (Figures 4(d) and 4(e)). Compared to the cellular viability in the nonchanneled control gels, the encapsulated cells survived in the microfluidic scaffolds, indicating the biocompatibility of this network’s forming process including removing the sacrificial Ca-Alg and casting the surrounding gels (Figures 5(a) and 5(b)).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
