Multiscale model of scaffold for heart valve for in situ ... · Multiscale model of scaffold for heart valve for in situ tissue engineering G. Argento, C.W.J. Oomens, F.P.T. Baaijens

Multiscale model of scaffold for heart valve for in situtissue engineeringArgento, G.; Oomens, C.W.J.; Baaijens, F.P.T.

Published: 01/01/2010

Document VersionPublisher’s PDF, also known as Version of Record (includes final page, issue and volume numbers)

Please check the document version of this publication:

• A submitted manuscript is the author's version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differencesbetween the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact theauthor for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website.• The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review.• The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.

Link to publication

Citation for published version (APA):Argento, G., Oomens, C. W. J., & Baaijens, F. P. T. (2010). Multiscale model of scaffold for heart valve for in situtissue engineering. Poster session presented at conference; Mate Poster Award 2010 : 15th Annual PosterContest, .

General rightsCopyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright ownersand it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.

• Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal ?

Take down policyIf you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediatelyand investigate your claim.

Download date: 11. Nov. 2018

Multiscale model of scaffold for heart

valve for in situ tissue engineering

G. Argento, C.W.J. Oomens, F.P.T. Baaijens

Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering

/ Soft tissue Biomechanics & Engineering

IntroductionThe traditional tissue engineering approach requires the

growth of tissue on a scaffold in a bioreactor before

implantation (1). An attractive alternative is in situ tissue

engineering by designing an instructive electrospun

scaffold, able to meet the hemodynamic demand when it is

implanted, being sufficiently strong and durable, and able

to promote cellular ingrowth, proliferation and

differentiation, and in-vivo tissue maturation.

Aim of the projectThe aim of the present work is to develop a computational

model of electrospun scaffolds based on microstructural

parameters (fiber diameter, anisotropy, fibers bonding, void

volume fraction). The model aims at being useful to

optimize the micro- and macroscopic properties of the

electrospun scaffolds.

Materials and methodsThe Driessen’s constitutive model (2) describes the

angular fibers distribution in cardiovascular tissue through

a periodic version of the normal probability distribution

where α indicates the main fibers angle and β indicates the

dispersity of fibers distribution.

A representative volume element (RVE) of electrospun

scaffold is built by processing the model through an

algorithm that generates a distance-based fiber dispersion

based on microstructural parameters (Fig 1).

Figure 1: Process of modeling of the scaffold fibrous network

cos 2 1expi iA

f

A continuum layer with relatively low stiffness overlayed to

the discrete network represents the neo-tissue that is

formed in-situ.

Ties between the discrete and the continuum layer mimic

the in vivo status (Fig 2). Periodic boundary conditions

describing a biaxial deformation are applied to the

continuum layer with the aim of performing the complete

mechanical characterization of the network (Fig 3).

Figure 2: Model of scaffold RVE with description of microstructural parameters

ResultsThe described model represents a tool for designing a

structural model of a scaffold for in situ tissue engineering.

The output of a multi-scale analysis of the in-vivo behavior

of the scaffold is suitable for addressing the process of

spinning of an electrospun scaffold .

Figure 3: Scaffold RVE in the deformed configuration

Future workThe coupling of the micro- and macromechanical behavior

of the scaffold will be performed to fit the micromodel to the

macromechanical behavior of the natural heart valve.

Fiber diameter

Porosity

OrientationFiber bonding

References

(1) Mol A, Driessen NJB, Rutten MCM, Hoerstrup SP, Bouten CVC, Baaijens FTP.

Tissue Engineering of Human Heart Valve Leaflets: A Novel Bioreactor for a

Strain-Based Conditioning Approach. Ann Biomed Eng 2005; 12(33):1778-1788.

(2) Driessen N, Modeling and remodeling of the collagen architecture in

cardiovascular tissue, Thesis.