A Switchable Positive and Negative Air Pressure Device for Efficient and Gentle Handling of Nanofiber Scaffolds

Published

November 30, 2017

Author(s)

Carl G. Simon Jr., Nathan A. Hotaling, Kapil Bharti, Vladimir Khristov, Arvydas Maminishkis

Abstract

A scaffold handling device (SHD) has been designed that can switch from gentle suction to positive pressure to lift and place nanofiber scaffolds. In tissue engineering laboratories, delicate fibrous scaffolds, such as electrospun nanofiber scaffolds, are often used as substrates for cell culture. Typical scaffold handling procedures include lifting the scaffolds, moving them from one container to another, sterilization and loading scaffolds into cell culture plates. Using tweezers to handle the scaffolds can be slow, can damage the scaffolds and can cause them to wrinkle or fold. Scaffolds may also acquire a static charge which makes them difficult to put down as they cling to tweezers. An SHD has been designed that enables more efficient, gentle lifting and placement of delicate scaffolds. Most of the parts to make the SHD can be purchased, except for the tip which can be 3D-printed. The SHD enables more reliable handling of nanofiber scaffolds that may improve consistency of biomanufacturing processes.

Citation

Review of Scientific Instruments

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

nanofiber, scaffold, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biomanufacturing

Citation

Simon, C. , Hotaling, N. , Bharti, K. , Khristov, V. and Maminishkis, A. (2017), A Switchable Positive and Negative Air Pressure Device for Efficient and Gentle Handling of Nanofiber Scaffolds, Review of Scientific Instruments (Accessed January 13, 2025)