Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a neonatal condition in which an improper diaphragmatic tissue formation leaves a hole through which abdominal organs might move into the thoracic cavity. Current treatments consist in closing the malformation with patches made of synthetic materials. However, these do not follow the patient’s growth. To avoid future periodic surgeries, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been recently tested in vitro as biological alternatives for tissue replacement, being able to integrate with the host environment. The performances of the implants are highly dependent on their morphology and mechanical properties, as they should match those of the tissue to be treated. The aim of this thesis is to develop protocols for the creation of optimized patches for CDH treatment. Typical engineering techniques such as rheometry, numerical simulations, stereolithography and extrusion 3D printing were used to characterize dECM solutions and optimize patch design and production. The performances, limitations and advantages of each protocol were evaluated by culturing cells on the patches under mechanical stimulation via an in-house developed bioreactor. The proposed protocols allowed the successful fabrication of patches with the desired morphology and such mechanical stability to withstand testing in our bioreactor.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a neonatal condition in which an improper diaphragmatic tissue formation leaves a hole through which abdominal organs might move into the thoracic cavity. Current treatments consist in closing the malformation with patches made of synthetic materials. However, these do not follow the patient’s growth. To avoid future periodic surgeries, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been recently tested in vitro as biological alternatives for tissue replacement, being able to integrate with the host environment. The performances of the implants are highly dependent on their morphology and mechanical properties, as they should match those of the tissue to be treated. The aim of this thesis is to develop protocols for the creation of optimized patches for CDH treatment. Typical engineering techniques such as rheometry, numerical simulations, stereolithography and extrusion 3D printing were used to characterize dECM solutions and optimize patch design and production. The performances, limitations and advantages of each protocol were evaluated by culturing cells on the patches under mechanical stimulation via an in-house developed bioreactor. The proposed protocols allowed the successful fabrication of patches with the desired morphology and such mechanical stability to withstand testing in our bioreactor.

Development of protocols for 3D printing of dECM patches for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia treatment

MEROTTO, ELENA
2021/2022

Abstract

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a neonatal condition in which an improper diaphragmatic tissue formation leaves a hole through which abdominal organs might move into the thoracic cavity. Current treatments consist in closing the malformation with patches made of synthetic materials. However, these do not follow the patient’s growth. To avoid future periodic surgeries, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been recently tested in vitro as biological alternatives for tissue replacement, being able to integrate with the host environment. The performances of the implants are highly dependent on their morphology and mechanical properties, as they should match those of the tissue to be treated. The aim of this thesis is to develop protocols for the creation of optimized patches for CDH treatment. Typical engineering techniques such as rheometry, numerical simulations, stereolithography and extrusion 3D printing were used to characterize dECM solutions and optimize patch design and production. The performances, limitations and advantages of each protocol were evaluated by culturing cells on the patches under mechanical stimulation via an in-house developed bioreactor. The proposed protocols allowed the successful fabrication of patches with the desired morphology and such mechanical stability to withstand testing in our bioreactor.
2021
Development of protocols for 3D printing of dECM patches for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia treatment
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a neonatal condition in which an improper diaphragmatic tissue formation leaves a hole through which abdominal organs might move into the thoracic cavity. Current treatments consist in closing the malformation with patches made of synthetic materials. However, these do not follow the patient’s growth. To avoid future periodic surgeries, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) has been recently tested in vitro as biological alternatives for tissue replacement, being able to integrate with the host environment. The performances of the implants are highly dependent on their morphology and mechanical properties, as they should match those of the tissue to be treated. The aim of this thesis is to develop protocols for the creation of optimized patches for CDH treatment. Typical engineering techniques such as rheometry, numerical simulations, stereolithography and extrusion 3D printing were used to characterize dECM solutions and optimize patch design and production. The performances, limitations and advantages of each protocol were evaluated by culturing cells on the patches under mechanical stimulation via an in-house developed bioreactor. The proposed protocols allowed the successful fabrication of patches with the desired morphology and such mechanical stability to withstand testing in our bioreactor.
3D bioprinting
dECM
Bioreactor
CDH
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/40468