Article: Lao, LH; Robinson, SS; Peele, B; Zhao, HC; Mac Murray, BC; Min, JK; Mosadegh, B; Dunham, S; Shepherd, RF; “Selective Mineralization of Tough Hydrogel Lumens for Simulating Arterial Plaque”, Advanced Engineering Materials, 19 (1)
Abstract: This paper demonstrates progress of fabricating artificial arteries (phantoms) that mimic plaque buildup. Hydrogel lumens are molded using tough polyacrylamide with regions selectively mineralized with calcium phosphate. By tuning the degree of mineralization such as calcium concentration ([Ca2+ ], 0.4-2 M), and crystallization time (t(c), 1-4 weeks), the authors control the extent of lumen occlusion. These occluded lumens significantly reduce pressure (Delta p approximate to 7.79 kPa) during fluid flow compared to the non-calcified lumens (Delta P approximate to 1.24 kPa). Additionally, image, chemical analysis, and compressive mechanical tests are performed to determine the effect of synthesis conditions on the composite’s mechanical properties. For comparison to real arteries, the authors also present dynamic mechanical analysis of human aortic tissue.
Funding Acknowledgement: Weill Cornell Medicine (NIH) [5UL1TR000457-09]; Weill Cornell Medicine (NIH NCATS) [TL1TR000459]; National Science Foundation [DGE-1144153, DMR-1120296]
Funding Text: This work was supported in part by Weill Cornell Medicine, under grant Nos. 5UL1TR000457-09 (NIH) and TL1TR000459 (NIH NCATS), and by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-1144153. This work made use of the Cornell Center for Materials Research Facilities supported by the National Science Foundation under Award Number DMR-1120296. The authors thank Philip Carubia for assisting with artery mechanical testing and John Grazul for preparing freeze-dried hydrogel sample for SEM. (Supporting Information is available online from Wiley Online Library or from the author).