Soft Perfusable Device to Culture Skeletal Muscle 3D Constructs in Air

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Biohybrid Robotics

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) skeletal muscle tissue culture is vital for tissue engineering and biorobotics.
• Current methods require biomimetic scaffolds and biophysical stimuli for effective tissue development.
• There is a growing need for flexible biohybrid devices that function outside laboratory settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a stretchable and perfusable device for sustained 3D skeletal muscle cell culture.
• To create a Tendon-Muscle-Tendon (TMT) device mimicking native muscle structure for mechanical stimulation.
• To enable long-term functionality of biohybrid devices in real-world environments.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a soft, porous polyurethane scaffold encased in a silicone membrane.
• Integration of hollow channels for fluidic and mechanical interfacing.
• Optimization of cell adhesion using polydopamine and fibronectin coatings.
• Assessment of mechanical stimulation capacity and fluid dynamics via simulations.
• Demonstration of cell viability under perfusion outside a CO2 incubator.

Main Results:

• The Tendon-Muscle-Tendon (TMT) device successfully sustained cell culture in a 3D scaffold.
• The device withstood multiple cycles of elongation, simulating mechanical stimulation protocols.
• Computational fluid dynamics confirmed safe shear stress levels (<2 Pa) and optimal fluid velocity for cell culture.
• Sustained cell viability was achieved for 24 hours under perfusion outside a CO2 incubator.

Conclusions:

• The proposed TMT device provides a platform for combining multiple biophysical stimuli to enhance skeletal muscle differentiation in vitro.
• This technology facilitates the development of muscle-powered biohybrid soft robots with enhanced long-term operability.
• The device offers a promising approach for creating functional skeletal muscle constructs for advanced applications.