Skip to main content

NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Blood vessel-on-a-chip examines biomechanics of microvasculature

Published

Author(s)

Paul Salipante, Steven D. Hudson, Styliani Alimperti

Abstract

We use a three-dimensional (3D) microvascular platform to measure the elasticity and membrane permeability of the endothelial cell layer. The microfluidic platform is connected with a pneumatic pressure controller to apply hydrostatic pressure. The deformation is measured by tracking the mean vessel diameter under varying pressures up to 300 Pa. We obtain a value for the Young's modulus of the cell layer in low strain where a linear elastic response is observed and use a hyperelastic model that describes the strain hardening observed at larger strains (pressure). A fluorescent dye is used to track the flow through the cell layer to determine the membrane flow resistance as a function of applied pressure. Finally, we track the 3D positions of cell nuclei while the vessel is pressurized to observe local deformation and correlate inter-cell deformation with the local structure of the cell layer. This approach is able to probe the mechanical properties of blood vessels in vitro and provides a methodology for investigating microvascular related diseases.
Citation
Soft Matter
Volume
18

Keywords

Blood Vessel, Biomechanics, Elasticity, Microfluidics

Citation

Salipante, P. , Hudson, S. and Alimperti, S. (2021), Blood vessel-on-a-chip examines biomechanics of microvasculature, Soft Matter, [online], https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SM01312B , https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=933119 (Accessed October 13, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created November 15, 2021, Updated November 29, 2022
Was this page helpful?