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A micro-spherical heart pump powered by cultured cardiomyocytes
Yo Tanaka1, Kae Sato, Tatsuya Shimizu
1Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Lab on a Chip
|February 3, 2007
Summary
Researchers developed a novel micro-spherical heart-like pump using cardiomyocyte sheets. This bio/artificial hybrid device is powered solely by chemical energy from cells, eliminating the need for external power sources for in vivo applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Microfluidic devices offer efficient microspace utilization but typically require external power, limiting in vivo applications.
- Previous research demonstrated a cardiomyocyte pump concept, but it involved complex mechanical components.
- A need exists for self-powered microfluidic devices that can operate in vivo without external energy or stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a self-powered microfluidic pump using cellular energy.
- To develop a bio/artificial hybrid pump with a simplified, efficient spherical design.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of a cell-driven pump for potential medical implant applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabricated a micro-spherical pump by wrapping a beating cardiomyocyte sheet around a hollow elastomeric sphere (5 mm diameter).
- Integrated inlet and outlet ports into the spherical structure.
- Observed fluid oscillations in a connected capillary induced by the cardiomyocyte sheet's synchronous pulsations.
Main Results:
- The cardiomyocyte sheet generated sufficient contractile force to drive fluid oscillations.
- The micro-spherical pump operated continuously for at least 5 days.
- The spherical design proved to be an optimal structure for this bio/artificial hybrid pump.
Conclusions:
- A novel, self-powered microfluidic pump was successfully developed using cellular energy.
- The bio/artificial hybrid pump design is innovative, utilizing chemical energy input and an optimal spherical structure.
- This technology holds potential for bio-actuators in medical implant devices, relying on biochemical energy rather than electrical interfacing.
