Analytical Model for Residual Stresses in Polymeric Containers During Cryogenic Storage of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Published

February 19, 2017

Author(s)

D M. Saylor, Martin McDermott, Lin-Sien H. Lum

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapy can significantly lower instances of infection in chemotherapy patients by accelerating the recovery of white blood cells in the body. However, the therapy requires that HSCs be stored at cryogenic temperatures to retain the cells ability to proliferate. Currently, the cells are stored in polymeric blood bags that are subject to fracture at the extremely low storage temperatures, which leads to contamination of the cells, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Therefore, we have developed an analytical model to predict the accumulation of stresses that ultimately lead to crack initiation and bag fracture during cryogenic storage. Our model gives explicit relationships between stress state in the container and the thermoelastic properties of the container material, container geometry, and environmental factors that include the temperature of the system and the pressure induced by excess gas evolving from the stored media. Predictions based on the model are consistent with experimental observations of bag failures that occurred during cryogenic storage applications. Finally, the model can provide guidance in material selection and bag design to fabricate bags that will be less susceptible to fracture.

Citation

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B-Applied Biomaterials

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

blood bags, brittle fracture, cryogenic, failure model, gas evolution, residual stresses, thermal expansion mismatch

Citation

Saylor, D. , McDermott, M. and Lum, L. (2017), Analytical Model for Residual Stresses in Polymeric Containers During Cryogenic Storage of Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B-Applied Biomaterials (Accessed December 26, 2024)