In-situ Optical Oxygen Sensing for Bio-artificial Liver Bioreactors

摘要

In this paper we present the characterization and application of integrated oxygen sensors to laterally-resolved dissolved oxygen (DO) measurement within a Bio-artificial Liver (BAL) bioreactor device. Sensor patterns were integrated into the PDMS-based bioreactor and calibrated for detection of DO concentration. The intensity signal ratio I0/I_(1000) of the sensor films was optimized to 6.1 by reducing sensor film thickness to 0.6 μm and remained constant for nearly two weeks while covered with type I collagen. Calibration of DO measurement showed linear Stern-Volmer behavior that was constant for flow rates from 0.5 to 2 mL/min. The calibrated sensors were subsequently used to demonstrate detection of transverse oxygen gradients produced by combining multiple flow streams inside the bioreactor. The device has potential applications in shear-dependent cell culture and drug assays with simultaneous monitoring of oxygen tension.