Flow Perfusion Bioreactor for Bone and Cartilage Tissue Engineering

摘要

In tissue engineering (TE), scaffolds are necessary for providing a three dimensional architecture on which cells may proliferate and develop into a functioning tissue. Mass transfer limitations in commonly used static cultures, however, usually lead to constructs with viable cells and deposited extracellular matrix on the exterior portion of the scaffold only. Enhanced mass transfer and more uniform cell distribution as well as mechanical stimulation can be provided by flow perfusion bioreactors which pump media through the internal pore network of scaffolds. The aim of this study was to develop a new flow perfusion bioreactor suitable for both cartilage and bone engineering, allowing increased sample through-put and cost efficient use of growth factors within bioreactor cultures.