3D Biomedical Microdevices

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "E:Engineering and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 27366

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Physics, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
Interests: 3D printing and bioprinting; neural regeneration devices; tissue engineering; origami-inspired self-folding; biomedical devices; bio-nanoelectronics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biological structures, ranging in size from molecules to organelles, cells, organs, tissues, and the human body are configured in three dimensions. The ability to create 3D artificially structured materials or 3D heterogeneously integrated functional microdevices could be useful in mimicking, sensing, or interfacing with biological ones. Existing conventional fabrication/assembly technologies have facilitated the representation of 2D networks of interface active devices or platforms with biology. However, the technology is impeded in its application to complex 3D geometries/configurations that often require hierarchical precision and multi-material heterogeneity. The solutions to this challenge generally require fundamental, conceptual advances in science, engineering, and medicine.

In this Special Issue, we invite manuscripts conducting interdisciplinary research from areas of diverse expertise that can promote the further development of biomedical microdevices. Contributions related (but not limited) to 3D printing and bioprinting production of artificial tissue, organ models, and implantable devices, as well as building lab-on-a-chip for drug testing, smart prosthetics, and human–machine interfaces are welcome. Efforts to build advanced fabrication technologies, including the development of stimulus materials, self-folding approaches, biomimetic and bioinspired designs, microfluidic devices for medical diagnosis, and drug delivery capsules are also desirable. Finally, advanced studies on the development of biomaterials and devices for biosensing, bioelectronics, bioimaging, and nanomedicine are highly encouraged for submission. Authors are also welcome to submit review articles to summarize state-of-the-art technologies and to propose future research directions.

Prof. Dr. Daeha Joung
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomimetic and bioinspired design
  • 3D (4D) printing and bioprinting
  • tissue engineering
  • biomaterials
  • bioelectronics
  • biosensors
  • bioimaging
  • lab-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip
  • microfluidic device
  • regeneration, stimulation, and recording devices
  • implantable devices
  • pharmaceuticals and drug delivery
  • origami and self-folding devices
  • micro/nano biomedical manufacturing

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3447 KiB  
Article
Microfluidic Bioreactor Made of Cyclo-Olefin Polymer for Observing On-Chip Platelet Production
by Hiroki Kumon, Shinya Sakuma, Sou Nakamura, Hisataka Maruyama, Koji Eto and Fumihito Arai
Micromachines 2021, 12(10), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12101253 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2469
Abstract
We previously proposed a microfluidic bioreactor with glass–Si–glass layers to evaluate the effect of the fluid force on platelet (PLT) production and fabricated a three-dimensional (3D) microchannel by combining grayscale photolithography and deep reactive ion etching. However, a challenge remains in observing the [...] Read more.
We previously proposed a microfluidic bioreactor with glass–Si–glass layers to evaluate the effect of the fluid force on platelet (PLT) production and fabricated a three-dimensional (3D) microchannel by combining grayscale photolithography and deep reactive ion etching. However, a challenge remains in observing the detailed process of PLT production owing to the low visibility of the microfluidic bioreactor. In this paper, we present a transparent microfluidic bioreactor made of cyclo-olefin polymer (COP) with which to observe the process of platelet-like particle (PLP) production under a bright-field, which allows us to obtain image data at a high sampling rate. We succeeded in fabricating the COP microfluidic bioreactor with a 3D microchannel. We investigated the bonding strength of COP-COP layers and confirmed the effectiveness of the microfluidic bioreactor. Results of on-chip PLP production using immortalized megakaryocyte cell lines (imMKCLs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells show that the average total number of produced PLPs per imMKCL was 17.6 PLPs/imMKCL, which is comparable to that of our previous glass–Si–glass microfluidic bioreactor (17.4 PLPs/imMKCL). We succeeded in observing PLP production under a bright-field using the presented microfluidic bioreactor and confirmed that PLP fragmented in a narrow area of proplatelet-like protrusions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Biomedical Microdevices)
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19 pages, 3579 KiB  
Article
Machine Assisted Experimentation of Extrusion-Based Bioprinting Systems
by Shuyu Tian, Rory Stevens, Bridget T. McInnes and Nastassja A. Lewinski
Micromachines 2021, 12(7), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12070780 - 30 Jun 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3667
Abstract
Optimization of extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB) parameters have been systematically conducted through experimentation. However, the process is time- and resource-intensive and not easily translatable to other laboratories. This study approaches EBB parameter optimization through machine learning (ML) models trained using data collected from the [...] Read more.
Optimization of extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB) parameters have been systematically conducted through experimentation. However, the process is time- and resource-intensive and not easily translatable to other laboratories. This study approaches EBB parameter optimization through machine learning (ML) models trained using data collected from the published literature. We investigated regression-based and classification-based ML models and their abilities to predict printing outcomes of cell viability and filament diameter for cell-containing alginate and gelatin composite bioinks. In addition, we interrogated if regression-based models can predict suitable extrusion pressure given the desired cell viability when keeping other experimental parameters constant. We also compared models trained across data from general literature to models trained across data from one literature source that utilized alginate and gelatin bioinks. The results indicate that models trained on large amounts of data can impart physical trends on cell viability, filament diameter, and extrusion pressure seen in past literature. Regression models trained on the larger dataset also predict cell viability closer to experimental values for material concentration combinations not seen in training data of the single-paper-based regression models. While the best performing classification models for cell viability can achieve an average prediction accuracy of 70%, the cell viability predictions remained constant despite altering input parameter combinations. Our trained models on bioprinting literature data show the potential usage of applying ML models to bioprinting experimental design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Biomedical Microdevices)
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11 pages, 3522 KiB  
Article
An Open-Source Add-On EVOM® Device for Real-Time Transepithelial/Endothelial Electrical Resistance Measurements in Multiple Transwell Samples
by Bibek Raut, Li-Jiun Chen, Takeshi Hori and Hirokazu Kaji
Micromachines 2021, 12(3), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12030282 - 08 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6499
Abstract
This study provides design of a low-cost and open source add-on device that enhances the functionality of the popular EVOM® instrument for transepithelial/endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement. The original EVOM® instrument is designed for measuring TEER in transwell samples manually using [...] Read more.
This study provides design of a low-cost and open source add-on device that enhances the functionality of the popular EVOM® instrument for transepithelial/endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement. The original EVOM® instrument is designed for measuring TEER in transwell samples manually using a pair of Ag/AgCl electrodes. The inconsistency in electrode placement, temperature variation, and a typically large (12–24 h) time interval between measurements result in large data variabilities. Thus, to solve the current limitation of the EVOM® instrument, we built an add-on device using a custom designed electronic board and a 3D printed electrode holder that allowed automated TEER measurements in multiple transwell samples. To demonstrate the functionality of the device prototype, we monitored TEER in 4 transwell samples containing retinal cells (ARPE-19) for 67 h. Furthermore, by monitoring temperature of the cell culture medium, we were able to detect fluctuations in TEER due to temperature change after the medium change process, and were able to correct the data offset. Although we demonstrated the use of our add-on device on EVOM® instrument only, the concept (multiplexing using digitally controlled relays) and hardware (custom data logger) presented here can be applied to more advanced TEER instruments to improve the performance of those devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Biomedical Microdevices)
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14 pages, 2106 KiB  
Article
A Sample-In-Answer-Out Microfluidic System for the Molecular Diagnostics of 24 HPV Genotypes Using Palm-Sized Cartridge
by Rui Wang, Jing Wu, Xiaodong He, Peng Zhou and Zuojun Shen
Micromachines 2021, 12(3), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12030263 - 04 Mar 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2890
Abstract
This paper proposes an automated microfluidic system for molecular diagnostics that integrates the functions of a traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory into a palm-sized microfluidic cartridge (CARD) made of polystyrene. The CARD integrates 4 independent microfluidic sample lanes, which can independently complete [...] Read more.
This paper proposes an automated microfluidic system for molecular diagnostics that integrates the functions of a traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory into a palm-sized microfluidic cartridge (CARD) made of polystyrene. The CARD integrates 4 independent microfluidic sample lanes, which can independently complete a sample test, and each sample lane integrates the 3 functional areas of the sample preparation area, PCR amplification area, and product analysis area. By using chemical cell lysis, magnetic silica bead-based DNA extraction, combined with multi-PCR-reverse dot hybridization with microarray, 24 HPV genotypes can be typing tested in CARD. With a custom-made automated CARD operating platform, the entire process can be automatically carried out, achieving sample-in-answer-out. The custom-made operation platform is developed based on a liquid handling station-type, which can automatically load off-chip reagents without placing reagents in CARD in advance. The platform can control six CARDs to work simultaneously, detect 24 samples at a time. The results show that the limit of detection of the microfluidic system is 200 copies/test, and the positive detection rate of clinical samples by this system is 100%, which is an effective method for detection of HPV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Biomedical Microdevices)
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Review

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25 pages, 2501 KiB  
Review
A Review of 3D Printed Bone Implants
by Zhaolong Li, Qinghai Wang and Guangdong Liu
Micromachines 2022, 13(4), 528; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi13040528 - 27 Mar 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7677
Abstract
3D printing, that is, additive manufacturing, has solved many major problems in general manufacturing, such as three-dimensional tissue structure, microenvironment control difficulty, product production efficiency and repeatability, etc., improved the manufacturing speed and precision of personalized bone implants, and provided a lot of [...] Read more.
3D printing, that is, additive manufacturing, has solved many major problems in general manufacturing, such as three-dimensional tissue structure, microenvironment control difficulty, product production efficiency and repeatability, etc., improved the manufacturing speed and precision of personalized bone implants, and provided a lot of support for curing patients with bone injuries. The application of 3D printing technology in the medical field is gradually extensive, especially in orthopedics. The purpose of this review is to provide a report on the related achievements of bone implants based on 3D printing technology in recent years, including materials, molding methods, optimization of implant structure and performance, etc., in order to point out the existing shortcomings of 3D printing bone implants, promote the development of all aspects of bone implants, and make a prospect of 4D printing, hoping to provide some reference for the subsequent research of 3D printing bone implants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Biomedical Microdevices)
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19 pages, 2018 KiB  
Review
Microelectromechanical Systems Based on Magnetic Polymer Films
by Denisa Ficai, Marin Gheorghe, Georgiana Dolete, Bogdan Mihailescu, Paul Svasta, Anton Ficai, Gabriel Constantinescu and Ecaterina Andronescu
Micromachines 2022, 13(3), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi13030351 - 23 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2839
Abstract
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have been increasingly used worldwide in a wide range of applications, including high tech, energy, medicine or environmental applications. Magnetic polymer composite films have been used extensively in the development of the micropumps and valves, which are critical components of [...] Read more.
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have been increasingly used worldwide in a wide range of applications, including high tech, energy, medicine or environmental applications. Magnetic polymer composite films have been used extensively in the development of the micropumps and valves, which are critical components of the microelectromechanical systems. Based on the literature survey, several polymers and magnetic micro and nanopowders can be identified and, depending on their nature, ratio, processing route and the design of the device, their performances can be tuned from simple valves and pumps to biomimetic devices, such as, for instance, hearth ventricles. In many such devices, polymer magnetic films are used, the disposal of the magnetic component being either embedded into the polymer or coated on the polymer. One or more actuation zones can be used and the flow rate can be mono-directional or bi-directional depending on the design. In this paper, we review the main advances in the development of these magnetic polymer films and derived MEMS: microvalve, micropump, micromixer, microsensor, drug delivery micro-systems, magnetic labeling and separation microsystems, etc. It is important to mention that these MEMS are continuously improving from the point of view of performances, energy consumption and actuation mechanism and a clear tendency in developing personalized treatment. Due to the improved energy efficiency of special materials, wearable devices are developed and be suitable for medical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Biomedical Microdevices)
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