DEVELOPMENT OF A FINITE ELEMENT APPROACH TO MECHANICS, TRANSPORT AND BIOSYNTHESIS IN TISSUE ENGINEERING

摘要

In order to reach the stage of clinical applicability a definite need arises for improved control over the functional properties and composition of tissue engineered constructs; Tissue function is determined by extracellular matrix components such as GAG's and collagen which are produced by cells in response to their local biochemical and mechanical environment which can be partially influenced via global bioreactor input parameters, like nutrient supply and mechanical stimulation; Many tissue engineering experiments yield only qualitative histological data or quantitative data on a volume averaged basis. This provides valuable clues and indicates research directions, but is open to much speculation on possible mechanisms that govern tissue development. Mathematical models enable a further rationalization of experimental results and will be a key asset in controlling the development and thus the functionality of tissue engineered constructs; Since only a combination of a suitable biochemical and mechanical environment is likely to provide functional tissue engineered constructs, both aspects should be integrated in a numerical model. This requires a description of highly coupled phenomena such as solute transport, cell growth, matrix biosynthesis and mechanical adaptation. The objective of this study is to develop an integrated numerical framework for tissue engineering that is able to relate the evolution of local functional tissue components to both mechanical and biochemical global bioreactor input parameters. The modeling approach can eventually serve as an aid in tissue bioreactor design and the development of control strategies.