人工毛細血管のための生分解性薄膜微細流路成型法(MeME)の開発

概要

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The authors of this letter propose a novel "multi-layer hybrid scaffold" consisting of artificial blood capillary networks and cell-containing hydrogel for tissue engineering. The artificial blood capillary network was fabricated using a Membrane Micro Embossing (MeME) process, a unique, newly developed microfabrication process capable of fabricating freestanding thin polymer membrane micro-channels with both simplicity and high precision. With this process, a thin thermoplastic polymer membrane was placed on a deformable support substrate and embossed to fit 3D structures on a master mold by backpressure from the support. A one step heatsealing method was used to successfully fabricate a highly branched "membrane micro-channel network" of biodegradable poly-lacticacid (PLA) micro-channels measuring 50 μm in width, 50 μm in depth, and 5 μm in wall thickness. The biocompatibility of the fabricated micro-channel was confirmed by culturing human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) on the micro-channel. This technology will provide a useful method for regenerating large organs in the future.
2005-12-10