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Fabrication of flexible thin polyurethane membrane for tissue engineering applications
A Arefin1,2, J-H Huang3, D Platts4
1Nanoscience and Microsystems Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Biomedical Microdevices
|November 9, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed thin, stretchable polyurethane membranes for tissue engineering. These biocompatible membranes support cell growth and withstand mechanical stress, advancing organ-on-a-chip technologies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Flexible polymeric membranes are essential for advanced tissue engineering, particularly for organs-on-a-chip.
- These membranes facilitate mechanical stretching to replicate in vivo biophysical cues, such as respiratory motion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate thin, stretchable, and biocompatible polyurethane (PU) membranes for tissue engineering applications.
- To characterize the mechanical, optical, and cell-culture properties of the developed PU membranes.
Main Methods:
- Polyurethane membranes (<20 μm thickness) were fabricated using spin coating on silicon substrates.
- Membranes were mounted on frames for device integration and tested for mechanical properties under cyclic stretch.
- Cell culture studies using Adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial (A549) cells were performed on the membranes.
Main Results:
- The fabricated PU membranes demonstrated stretchability up to 10 kPa with no mechanical failure over 2 weeks at 0.2 Hz.
- Optical and elastic properties were characterized, showing suitability for tissue engineering.
- A549 cell morphology and viability on PU membranes were comparable to standard tissue culture plates.
Conclusions:
- Thin, stretchable, and biocompatible PU membranes were successfully fabricated.
- These membranes exhibit excellent mechanical stability and support cell viability, making them suitable for tissue engineering.
- The developed PU membranes show significant potential for various in vitro tissue engineering applications, including organs-on-a-chip.
