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Flexible 3D printed microwires and 3D microelectrodes for heart-on-a-chip engineering
Qinghua Wu1,2, Peikai Zhang3,4, Gerard O'Leary1,5,6
1Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada.
Biofabrication
|May 25, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel heart-on-a-chip device featuring 3D-printed electrodes and microwires for simultaneous electrical and mechanical monitoring of cardiac tissues. This platform enables comprehensive assessment of heart muscle function under various conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Accurate assessment of cardiac tissue function requires simultaneous evaluation of both electrical activity and mechanical contraction.
- Existing platforms often lack the integrated capabilities for comprehensive, real-time analysis of these coupled properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an advanced heart-on-a-chip platform for integrated electrophysiological and contractile force assessment of cardiac tissues.
- To enable non-invasive, in situ monitoring of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs).
Main Methods:
- 3D printing of flexible, vertical micropillar electrodes using conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS).
- Integration of 3D-printed elastic microwires made from quantum dot/thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites for contractile force measurement.
- Culturing of hiPSC-CMs on the platform for spontaneous and paced beating assessments.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful formation and contraction of suspended cardiac tissues on the platform.
- Achieved non-invasive recording of extracellular field potentials using PEDOT:PSS micropillars.
- Successfully monitored tissue contractile properties and calcium transients in situ, including responses to epinephrine.
Conclusions:
- The developed heart-on-a-chip platform offers a unique, integrated approach for profiling both electrical and contractile properties of cardiac tissue.
- This technology is crucial for a thorough evaluation of complex cardiac tissues under physiological and pathological conditions, aiding drug development and disease modeling.
