Image-Guided, Laser-Based Fabrication of Hydrogel-Embedded Microfluidic Networks
John H. Slater,
Associate Professor, Dept of Biomedical Engineering,
University of Delaware
We demonstrate fabrication of three-dimensional, biomimetic microfluidic networks embedded in hydrogels by combining laser-based hydrogel degradation with image-guided laser control. Generation of high-density, capillary-like microfluidic networks that recapitulate the architecture of in vivo microvasculature as well as the ability to induce internetwork transport between two independent microfluidic systems is presented. Recapitulating in vivo-like transport using biomimetic microfluidic networks may prove advantageous in fabricating advanced in vitro tissue models.
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