Masters Applied Projects

Project 1

A Multiple Blood Vessel Injection Mold for Blood Vessel Fabrication and Testing

Student:
Pamela Appiah

Mentors:
Dr. Jessica Weaver, PhD – Arizona State University, SBHSE
Dr. Brent Vernon, PhD – Arizona State University, SBHSE
Dr. Mark Wang, PhD – Arizona State University, SBHSE

YouTube Link:
View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link:
https://asu.zoom.us/j/83397092711


Abstract:
One of the major challenges associated with the development of artificial organs is vascularization. This has led to the introduction of different methods for bridging this gap and a well-known and widely used technique is bioprinting. There is a demand for the fabrication of macroscale vascular grafts and microscale vessels. Here, we introduce a new technique for making blood vessels and explore its production using diverse materials including hydrogels and cells. An efficient process in generating reproducible products in which a wide range of materials can be used in making the product is Injection molding, and this is the technique that will be employed in fabricating the blood vessel. We will design the injection mold, followed by an examination of the outcome of the mold. We will test the mold with hydrogel and examine the structure of the molded vessels and compare it with the structure of the normal healthy human blood vessel in terms of size, length, and structure. We will discuss the advantages and challenges associated with this technique in terms of production, sustainability, and replication of design. We will next review the technique and provide a discussion on some future directions. The results from these studies will contribute to the existing knowledge about blood vessel fabrication and microscale vessels and injection molding.