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Shiravand A, Richter K, Willmann P, Eulzer P, Lawonn K, Hundertmark A, Cattaneo G. Fabrication, characterization and numerical validation of a novel thin-wall hydrogel vessel model for cardiovascular research based on a patient-specific stenotic carotid artery bifurcation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16301. [PMID: 39009618 PMCID: PMC11251049 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66777-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro vascular models, primarily made of silicone, have been utilized for decades for studying hemodynamics and supporting the development of implants for catheter-based treatments of diseases such as stenoses and aneurysms. Hydrogels have emerged as prominent materials in tissue-engineering applications, offering distinct advantages over silicone models for fabricating vascular models owing to their viscoelasticity, low friction, and tunable mechanical properties. Our study evaluated the feasibility of fabricating thin-wall, anatomical vessel models made of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H) based on a patient-specific carotid artery bifurcation using a combination of 3D printing and molding technologies. The model's geometry, elastic modulus, volumetric compliance, and diameter distensibility were characterized experimentally and numerically simulated. Moreover, a comparison with silicone models with the same anatomy was performed. A PVA-H vessel model was integrated into a mock circulatory loop for a preliminary ultrasound-based assessment of fluid dynamics. The vascular model's geometry was successfully replicated, and the elastic moduli amounted to 0.31 ± 0.007 MPa and 0.29 ± 0.007 MPa for PVA-H and silicone, respectively. Both materials exhibited nearly identical volumetric compliance (0.346 and 0.342% mmHg-1), which was higher compared to numerical simulation (0.248 and 0.290% mmHg-1). The diameter distensibility ranged from 0.09 to 0.20% mmHg-1 in the experiments and between 0.10 and 0.18% mmHg-1 in the numerical model at different positions along the vessel model, highlighting the influence of vessel geometry on local deformation. In conclusion, our study presents a method and provides insights into the manufacturing and mechanical characterization of hydrogel-based thin-wall vessel models, potentially allowing for a combination of fluid dynamics and tissue engineering studies in future cardio- and neurovascular research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashkan Shiravand
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Kevin Richter
- Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Pia Willmann
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Pepe Eulzer
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Kai Lawonn
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Anna Hundertmark
- Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Giorgio Cattaneo
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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Farrag Y, Ait Eldjoudi D, Farrag M, González-Rodríguez M, Ruiz-Fernández C, Cordero A, Varela-García M, Torrijos Pulpón C, Bouza R, Lago F, Pino J, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Gualillo O. Poly(ethylene Glycol) Methyl Ether Methacrylate-Based Injectable Hydrogels: Swelling, Rheological, and In Vitro Biocompatibility Properties with ATDC5 Chondrogenic Lineage. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4635. [PMID: 38139888 PMCID: PMC10747511 DOI: 10.3390/polym15244635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present the synthesis of a series of chemical homopolymeric and copolymeric injectable hydrogels based on polyethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEM) alone or with 2-dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate (DMAEM). The objective of this study was to investigate how the modification of hydrogel components influences the swelling, rheological attributes, and in vitro biocompatibility of the hydrogels. The hydrogels' networks were formed via free radical polymerization, as assured by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). The swelling of the hydrogels directly correlated with the monomer and the catalyst amounts, in addition to the molecular weight of the monomer. Rheological analysis revealed that most of the synthesized hydrogels had viscoelastic and shear-thinning properties. The storage modulus and the viscosity increased by increasing the monomer and the crosslinker fraction but decreased by increasing the catalyst. MTT analysis showed no potential toxicity of the homopolymeric hydrogels, whereas the copolymeric hydrogels were toxic only at high DMEAM concentrations. The crosslinker polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) induced inflammation in ATDC5 cells, as detected by the significant increase in nitric oxide synthase type II activity. The results suggest a range of highly tunable homopolymeric and copolymeric hydrogels as candidates for cartilage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousof Farrag
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Djedjiga Ait Eldjoudi
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Mariam Farrag
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - María González-Rodríguez
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Clara Ruiz-Fernández
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Alfonso Cordero
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - María Varela-García
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Carlos Torrijos Pulpón
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Rebeca Bouza
- Grupo de Polímeros, Departamento de Física y Ciencias de la Tierra, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica, Universidade da Coruña, Serantes, Avda. 19 de Febrero s/n, 15471 Ferrol, Spain;
| | - Francisca Lago
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Lab, Research Laboratory 7, Santiago University Clinical Hospital, C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Jesus Pino
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- I+D Farma Group (GI-1645), Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Oreste Gualillo
- Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Neuroendocrine Interactions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (NEIRID Group), Santiago University Clinical Hospital, Building C, Travesía da Choupana S/N, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (D.A.E.); (M.F.); (M.G.-R.); (C.R.-F.); (A.C.); (M.V.-G.); (C.T.P.); (O.G.)
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Antonowicz A, Wojtas K, Makowski Ł, Orciuch W, Kozłowski M. Particle Image Velocimetry of 3D-Printed Anatomical Blood Vascular Models Affected by Atherosclerosis. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:ma16031055. [PMID: 36770062 PMCID: PMC9920660 DOI: 10.3390/ma16031055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases facilitate a better understanding of the ongoing process. The study of biomedical fluid dynamics using non-intrusive visualizing methods on a micro-scale has become possible using a proper 3D printing process. The computed tomography scan of a patient with atherosclerosis was processed, and a 3D-printed artery with an inlet diameter of 4.2 mm was developed and measured using three different constant flow rates. To mimic blood, a solution of glycerin and water was used. The procedure to obtain a proper 3D-printed model using low-force stereolithography technology with high-quality optical access usable for PIV was described and discussed. The paper presents the results of PIV as multi-stitched, color-coded vector maps from the axis cross section along the whole 3D-printed model. The obtained data allowed a resolution of 100 × 100 µm per single vector to be achieved. Furthermore, the results of the stitched 16 base images of the artery and the 3D-printed model prepared were included. The results of this study show that 3D prints allow for the creation of the desired geometry and can be used to investigate severe pathologies of the human circulatory system. The strengths and weaknesses of this methodology were discussed and compared to other techniques used to obtain transparent objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Antonowicz
- Eurotek International Ltd., Skrzetuskiego 6, 02-726 Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, 00-645 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Wojtas
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, 00-645 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Łukasz Makowski
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, 00-645 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Orciuch
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, 00-645 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Kozłowski
- Department of Cardiology and Structural Heart Diseases, Medical University of Silesia, Ziołowa 47, 40-635 Katowice, Poland
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