Force modeling to develop a novel method for fabrication of hollow channels inside a gel structure

Abstract

Fabrication of hollow channels with user-defined dimensions and patterns inside viscoelastic, gel-type materials is required for several applications, especially in biomedical engineering domain. These include objectives of obtaining vascularized tissues and enclosed or subsurface microfluidic devices. However, presently there is no suitable manufacturing technology that can create such channels and networks in a gel structure. The advent of three-dimensional bioprinting has opened new possibilities for fabricating structures with complex geometries. However, application of this technique to fabricate internal hollow channels in viscoelastic material has not been yet explored to a great extent. In this article, we present the theoretical modeling/background of a proposed manufacturing paradigm through which hollow channels can be conveniently fabricated inside a gel structure. We propose that a tip connected to a robotic arm can be moved in X-, Y-, and Z-axis as per the desired design. The tip can be moved by a magnet or mechanical force. If the tip is further trailed with porous tube and moved inside the viscoelastic material, corresponding internal channels can be fabricated. To achieve this, however, force modeling to understand the forces that will be required to move the tip inside viscoelastic material should be known and understood. Therefore, in our first attempt, we developed the computational force modeling of the tip movement inside gels with different viscoelastic properties to create the channels.

Study of the surgical needle and biological soft tissue interaction phenomenon during insertion process for medical application: A Survey

“…The force of stiffness is a result of the elastic characteristics of the soft tissue material. Barua et al 5 described the force of stiffness force applying a spring model which is non-linear:…”

“…The higher velocities have a tendency to decrease the cutting force and increase friction. 5 Additionally, bigger diameter of the surgical needle was initiated to enhance conical-type needles and maximum forces, were initiated to generate advanced maximum forces than that of the needles which are beveled. 6,7 Though, numerous queries continue open for analysis, mainly those regarding the impact of biological soft tissue characteristics of materials.…”

Mechanical Considerations of Bioprinted Tissue

“…An understanding of the cellular aggregate fusion process and tissue environment dynamics could provide a design framework to fabricate tissue microarchitectures that are beyond bioprinting resolution (Sun et al, 2014;Robu et al, 2019). In a different application, but still relevant to bioprinting, computational force modeling of the tip movement inside gels with different viscoelastic properties was used to design and create channels within the material (Barua et al, 2020). Similarly, a combination of physical modeling of acoustic waves and engineering solutions was used to pattern cells within a bioprinted cartilage precursor via ultrasound (Chansoria et al, 2019).…”

Simulation and experimental investigation of the surgical needle deflection model during the rotational and steady insertion process

“…anisotropy or inhomogeneity), 10 functional procedures (like breathing, fluid flow), 11 and complex anatomical structures. 12 Several researchers analyzed indirect approaches to obtain force data at the time of insertion experiment, which consists of analytical techniques, 13,14 CEL-based models, 15 etc. In the analytical techniques, researchers developed the force and considered the unidentified force via force physical constraints.…”

“…A CELbased model was used to analyze the tissue deformation and fracture during the biopsy procedure. 15 Though, the MIS technique depends on several factors like insertion force and frictional force which causes the material deformation during the process, resulting in needle deflection. 5 To reduce the needle navigation inaccuracies and tissue material injury, an applied method is to decrease cutting force.…”