Team 19

Injection Molding of Complex Hydrogel Geometries for Macroencapsulation of Donor Islets

Team Members: Alec McCall, Michael Finocchiaro, Maria Perez & Camryn Garza

Team Mentors: Jessica Weaver, PhD - SBHSE
David Lott, MD - Mayo Clinic

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

Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/81031579403

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the destruction of pancreatic islet cells which eliminates the capacity to produce insulin. Common treatments for this disorder do not cure the disease, and existing treatments often result in secondary complications such as blindness and amputation. The goal of this project is to develop a therapeutic for diabetes that provides long-term insulin restoration and requires less maintenance from the user than the closed-loop insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor system. Islet cell transplantation via macroencapsulation is a potential therapy to treat type I diabetes in the absence of immunosuppression. One limiting factor of encapsulation devices is their large scale, which limits oxygen and nutrients available to islets and limits their viability and function. By designing a device that has an optimal geometry with more surface area, such as a spiral, we can produce better flow of oxygen and nutrients across the hydrogel barrier to the islets inside. The project goal is to design, mathematically model and fabricate an injection molding device that can generate hydrogels of complex geometries without damaging cells during fabrication. Oxygen and nutrient diffusion throughout the hydrogel and insulin production of donor islets are two important factors in choosing a dominant design. Injection molding devices are fabricated via a photolithography Formlabs Form 3 3D printer that uses a flexible printing material. Reproducibility, quality of hydrogel extraction, and cell viability studies will be carried out in the next phase of development in order to validate our design.