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Du J, Lee S, Sinha S, Solberg FS, Ho DLL, Sampson JP, Wang Q, Tam T, Skylar-Scott MA. A Visual, In-Expensive, and Wireless Capillary Rheometer for Characterizing Wholly-Cellular Bioinks. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304778. [PMID: 38085139 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Rheological measurements with in situ visualization can elucidate the microstructural origin of complex flow behaviors of an ink. However, existing commercial rheometers suffer from high costs, the need for dedicated facilities for microfabrication, a lack of design flexibility, and cabling that complicates operation in sterile or enclosed environments. To address these limitations, a low-cost ($300) visual, in-expensive and wireless rheometer (VIEWR) using 3D-printed and off-the-shelf components is presented. VIEWR measurements are validated by steady-state and transient flow responses for different complex fluids, and microstructural flow profiles and evolution of yield-planes are revealed via particle image velocimetry. Using the VIEWR, a wholly-cellular bioink system comprised of compacted cell aggregates is characterized, and complex yield-stress and viscoelastic responses are captured via concomitantly visualizing the spatiotemporal evolution of aggregate morphology. A symmetric hyperbolic extensional-flow geometry is further constructed inside a capillary tube using digital light processing. Such geometries allow for measuring the extensional viscosity at varying deformation rates and further visualizing the alignment and stretching of aggregates under external flow. Synchronized but asymmetric evolution of aggregate orientation and strain through the neck is visualized. Using varying geometries, the jamming and viscoelastic deformation of aggregates are shown to contribute to the extensional viscosity of the wholly-cellular bioinks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyi Du
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Stacey Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Soham Sinha
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Fredrik S Solberg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Debbie L L Ho
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Joshua P Sampson
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Qiuling Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Tony Tam
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Mark A Skylar-Scott
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Basic Science and Engineering Initiative, Children's Heart Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94304, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
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Salipante PF. Microfluidic techniques for mechanical measurements of biological samples. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011303. [PMID: 38505816 PMCID: PMC10903441 DOI: 10.1063/5.0130762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The use of microfluidics to make mechanical property measurements is increasingly common. Fabrication of microfluidic devices has enabled various types of flow control and sensor integration at micrometer length scales to interrogate biological materials. For rheological measurements of biofluids, the small length scales are well suited to reach high rates, and measurements can be made on droplet-sized samples. The control of flow fields, constrictions, and external fields can be used in microfluidics to make mechanical measurements of individual bioparticle properties, often at high sampling rates for high-throughput measurements. Microfluidics also enables the measurement of bio-surfaces, such as the elasticity and permeability properties of layers of cells cultured in microfluidic devices. Recent progress on these topics is reviewed, and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul F. Salipante
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Polymers and Complex Fluids Group, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
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Jang Y, Wee H, Oh J, Jung J. Single Microdroplet Breakup-Assisted Viscosity Measurement. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13040558. [PMID: 35457863 PMCID: PMC9032506 DOI: 10.3390/mi13040558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Recently, with the development of biomedical fields, the viscosity of prepolymer fluids, such as hydrogels, has played an important role in determining the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) or being closely related to cell viability in ECM. The technology for measuring viscosity is also developing. Here, we describe a method that can measure the viscosity of a fluid with trace amounts of prepolymers based on a simple flow-focused microdroplet generator. We also propose an equation that could predict the viscosity of a fluid. The viscosity of the prepolymer was predicted by measuring and calculating various lengths of the disperse phase at the cross junction of two continuous-phase channels and one disperse-phase channel. Bioprepolymer alginates and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) were used to measure the viscosity at different concentrations in a microdroplet generator. The break-up length of the dispersed phase at the cross junction of the channel gradually increased with increasing flow rate and viscosity. Additional viscosity analysis was performed to validate the standard viscosity calculation formula depending on the measured length. The viscosity formula derived based on the length of the alginate prepolymer was applied to GelMA. At a continuous phase flow rate of 400 uL/h, the empirical formula of alginate showed an error within about 2%, which was shown to predict the viscosity very well in the viscometer. Results of this study are expected to be very useful for hydrogel tuning in biomedical and tissue regeneration fields by providing a technology that can measure the dynamic viscosity of various prepolymers in a microchannel with small amounts of sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeongseok Jang
- Department of Mechanical Design Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea;
| | - Hwabok Wee
- Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Jonghyun Oh
- Department of Nano-Bio Mechanical System Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.O.); (J.J.)
| | - Jinmu Jung
- Department of Nano-Bio Mechanical System Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.O.); (J.J.)
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Del Giudice F. A Review of Microfluidic Devices for Rheological Characterisation. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:167. [PMID: 35208292 PMCID: PMC8877273 DOI: 10.3390/mi13020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The rheological characterisation of liquids finds application in several fields ranging from industrial production to the medical practice. Conventional rheometers are the gold standard for the rheological characterisation; however, they are affected by several limitations, including high costs, large volumes required and difficult integration to other systems. By contrast, microfluidic devices emerged as inexpensive platforms, requiring a little sample to operate and fashioning a very easy integration into other systems. Such advantages have prompted the development of microfluidic devices to measure rheological properties such as viscosity and longest relaxation time, using a finger-prick of volumes. This review highlights some of the microfluidic platforms introduced so far, describing their advantages and limitations, while also offering some prospective for future works.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Del Giudice
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
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Fisher JT, Gurney TO, Mason BM, Fisher JK, Kelly WJ. Mixing and oxygen transfer characteristics of a microplate bioreactor with surface-attached microposts. Biotechnol J 2021; 16:e2000257. [PMID: 33470052 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bioprocess optimization for cell-based therapies is a resource heavy activity. To reduce the associated cost and time, process development may be carried out in small volume systems, with the caveat that such systems be predictive for process scale-up. The transport of oxygen from the gas phase into the culture medium, characterized using the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kL a, has been identified as a critical parameter for predictive process scale-up. Here, we describe the development of a 96-well microplate with integrated Redbud Posts to provide mixing and enhanced kL a. Mixing in the microplate is characterized by observation of dyes and analyzed using the relative mixing index (RMI). The kL a is measured via dynamic gassing out method. Actuating Redbud Posts are shown to increase rate of planar homogeneity (2 min) verse diffusion alone (120 min) and increase oxygenation, with increasing stirrer speed (3500-9000 rpm) and decreasing fill volume (150-350 μL) leading to an increase in kL a (4-88 h-1 ). Significant increase in Chinese Hamster Ovary growth in Redbud Labs vessel (580,000 cells mL-1 ) versus the control (420,000 cells mL-1 ); t(12.814) = 8.3678, p ≤ .001), and CD4+ Naïve cell growth in the microbioreactor indicates the potential for this technology in early stage bioprocess development and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T Fisher
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085, USA
| | - Travis O Gurney
- Redbud Labs Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709, USA
| | - Brittany M Mason
- Redbud Labs Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709, USA
| | - Jay K Fisher
- Redbud Labs Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709, USA
| | - William J Kelly
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085, USA
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Mustafa A, Eser A, Aksu AC, Kiraz A, Tanyeri M, Erten A, Yalcin O. A micropillar-based microfluidic viscometer for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1135:107-115. [PMID: 33070846 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a novel viscosity measurement technique based on measuring the deflection of flexible (poly) dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropillars is presented. The experimental results show a nonlinear relationship between fluid viscosity and the deflection of micropillars due to viscoelastic properties of PDMS. A calibration curve, demonstrating this nonlinear relationship, is generated, and used to determine the viscosity of an unknown fluid. Using our method, viscosity measurements for Newtonian fluids (glycerol/water solutions) can be performed within 2-100 cP at shear rates γ = 60.5-398.4 s-1. We also measured viscosity of human whole blood samples (non-Newtonian fluid) yielding 2.7-5.1 cP at shear rates γ = 120-345.1 s-1, which compares well with measurements using conventional rotational viscometers (3.6-5.7 cP). With a sensitivity better than 0.5 cP, this method has the potential to be used as a portable microfluidic viscometer for real-time rheological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Mustafa
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Physics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysenur Eser
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ali Cenk Aksu
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alper Kiraz
- Department of Physics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Electrical Engineering Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Melikhan Tanyeri
- Department of Engineering, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, USA.
| | - Ahmet Erten
- Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ozlem Yalcin
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Mohammadi Aria M, Erten A, Yalcin O. Technology Advancements in Blood Coagulation Measurements for Point-of-Care Diagnostic Testing. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:395. [PMID: 31921804 PMCID: PMC6917661 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, blood coagulation monitoring has become crucial to diagnosing causes of hemorrhages, developing anticoagulant drugs, assessing bleeding risk in extensive surgery procedures and dialysis, and investigating the efficacy of hemostatic therapies. In this regard, advanced technologies such as microfluidics, fluorescent microscopy, electrochemical sensing, photoacoustic detection, and micro/nano electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) have been employed to develop highly accurate, robust, and cost-effective point of care (POC) devices. These devices measure electrochemical, optical, and mechanical parameters of clotting blood. Which can be correlated to light transmission/scattering, electrical impedance, and viscoelastic properties. In this regard, this paper discusses the working principles of blood coagulation monitoring, physical and sensing parameters in different technologies. In addition, we discussed the recent progress in developing nanomaterials for blood coagulation detection and treatments which opens up new area of controlling and monitoring of coagulation at the same time in the future. Moreover, commercial products, future trends/challenges in blood coagulation monitoring including novel anticoagulant therapies, multiplexed sensing platforms, and the application of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and monitoring have been included.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmet Erten
- Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Yalcin
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Koc University, Sariyer, Turkey
- Department of Physiology, Koc University School of Medicine, Koc University, Sariyer, Turkey
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