Automated Multi-Axial Winding Device for Smooth Muscle Cell Fibers

Abstract

Medical research has become a crucial area of study and entrepreneurship due to the significant progress made in recent years. Biofabrication and tissue engineering, a subdomain of medical research, have mainly made strides in replacing and improving tissues for living organisms. Extrusion methods, inkjet and droplet printing, and laser-assisted printing have allowed for high accuracy and repeatability in printing matrices of organs and tissues specific to living beings. However, integrating these printed tissue matrices poses challenges, including the complexities of existing body structures, tissue structure, tissue orientation, attachment methods, and maintaining cell viability. Several methods have been developed to address these challenges, but each comes with its own difficulties. Cell fiber winding is a promising method that addresses issues integrating printed tissues. Long strands of cell linkages are wound onto tissue frames that could be integrated into the body and dissolved, leaving behind tightly wound fibers that act as the tissue itself. However, incorporating these delicate cell linkages requires a controlled and monitored method, with consideration for alignment and moisture levels. Maintaining tension during winding is also crucial, making the process complicated and needing improvement. Automation and controlled parameterization are essential for developing robust systems or processes. In the case of cell linkage alignment and winding, such automation can be achieved through the development of a device that can move in various orientations to wind and align the cell linkages into any desired pattern and structure. This dissertation proposes the development of a multi-axial orientation device that can act as a practical actuating media for the process of cell fiber winding. The device aims to wind long strings of muscle fibers onto organ frames concerning multiple axes automatically, considering aspects such as modeling, control, manipulation, and peripherals for fully automated multi-axial cell fiber winding. The results obtained in this proposed dissertation aim to develop a medium to realize this novel method and focus on related performance parameters. In summary, the multi-axial winding device for the smooth muscle cell linkages aids in the process of a new method of biofabrication using the working principles of the robot arm, tension, and peripherals. In this dissertation, a prototype of this device is developed and tested concerning vital parameters for its functioning and ultimately carrying out this novel method of bio-fabrication.