Device Technologies and Biomedical Robotics
Ex Vivo Human Skin Perfusion Device
Natasha Mody
Student
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Through the University of Pittsburgh’s Makerspaces, a design focused project was conducted over 8 weeks. The project focused on further developing, designing, and building a concept given by a plastic surgeon who conducts research on human skin. The best method to conduct this research in an environment mimicking skin conditions was to use real human skin. These samples come from patients who have abdominoplasties performed, during which a large portion of their midsection (or loose skin) is removed. While this skin is traditionally discarded, the plastic surgeon found that successfully perfusing this skin for up to two weeks can allow researchers to perform experiments with feedback similar to the human skin environment.
Over the project’s timeline, deeper levels of ideation, sketching, prototyping, evaluation, and redesign occurred, to refine the components of the perfusion system. The first design requirement was that the environment had to be heated to normal body temperature conditions. The second design requirement was seamless fluid flow without air pockets. The final design requirement was getting constant feedback from the system so it could be monitored in real time.
The project started with basic components already used by the researchers. Using this system, simulated blood was flushed through so the design flaws of the system could be highlighted. Then, using the flow and temperature constraints of the system, different parts were specified and tested for their accuracy, durability, and robustness. Using various testing methods, the parts were narrowed down and refined. During this time, tubing clamps were 3D printed to allow for customization. Using MATLAB, a script was created to allow all the components to work together and get feedback off one another.