抄録
We propose a new method to construct microchannels inside cell structures. Recently, three-dimensional cell structures have been actively developed such as cell sheets stacking or inkjet bio-printing method. However, those methods have some disadvantages such as stacking rate or non-biodegradable materials. In this paper, local melting of cell embedded hydrogel is employed to make microchannels inside cell structures. The fabricated microchannels can be used as vascular-like networks to supply nutrition and oxygen to cells. Temperature distribution inside the hydrogel was simulated using 1D unsteady heat conduction equation. A microchannel was experimentally fabricated using an electrode on a glass substrate. The results indicate that the proposed method can be used to making vascular-like networks inside cell structures to construct in vitro 3D cell systems.
