An open-source microphysiological system for the evaluation of cardiovascular materials and devices under controlled...

Traditional cell-based testing methods for biomaterials and biodevices do not always recapitulate the physiological microenvironment and fluid dynamics of native tissue, particularly in cardiovascular applications and blood interactions. This study presents the engineering and experimental validation of an open-source microphysiological system for evaluating biomaterials and cardiovascular devices under controlled flow conditions. The system stands out for its simplicity and reusability, with an accessible cell culture chamber for introducing and collecting material, thereby replicating biomaterial placement or stent deployment and facilitating sample analysis. The system was validated through two sets of experiments: the first to evaluate the behavior of a degradable biomaterial under flow conditions, and the second to analyze a medical device and its interaction with cells in a dynamic environment. In the first case, magnesium discs were evaluated to understand the potential of magnesium as a biomaterial for cardiovascular applications. The degradation dynamics and corrosion behavior were systematically studied in the microphysiological device, revealing reduced precipitate deposition and pitting corrosion. In the second case, additively manufactured NiTi (nitinol) lattices, such as those used in cardiovascular stents, were studied under both static and dynamic conditions. Endothelial cells showed a differentiated phenotype when cultured under dynamic conditions, with higher expression of VEGFR2 and CD31. The presence of a NiTi lattice affected flow shear stress patterns, promoting the accumulation of cell debris in specific low-stress areas and influencing the expression of endothelial markers. Overall, the study exemplifies a versatile and user friendly in vitro testing platform that mimics the cardiovascular environment, enabling improved understanding of its interactions with biomaterials and biomedical devices and supporting biocompatibility evaluations in real life conditions.