Medical Device Link.

Originally Published EMDM January/February 2005

Industry News

Pores and channel structures in a liver chip bioreactor are micromachined using UV excimer laser technology developed by JPSA.

Laser-based micromachining is playing a key role in the development of a device that mimics the human liver. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are using custom UV excimer lasers from JPSA (Hollis, NY, USA) to machine a polymer scaffold, or chip, on which liver cells are grown. This form of tissue engineering may offer an alternative to liver transplants. The technology also shows promise for early drug discovery.

The chip is described as a three-dimensional structure of a functioning liver. Tiny channels provide simulated blood flow. These channels supply the cells with the correct nutrients and hormones to promote tissue growth. The cell-holding scaffold is made of polycarbonate, PET, and polyimide. Highly precise UV excimer lasers are used to etch the channels and pores in the scaffold.

“Short-wavelength UV laser energy is ideal for this application,” says Jeffrey P. Sercel, company president. “It enables clean-cutting, drilling, and shaping polymers and other materials that are difficult to micromachine using other technologies.” Specifications call for scaffold thicknesses of 250 µm, channel depths of 200 µm, and pore depths of 50 µm.

Each laser pulse removes very fine, measured amounts of material, leaving a cleanly sculpted area. The large UV excimer laser beam is separated into multiple beams through near-field imaging techniques. As a result, multiple pores can be bored with each pulse.

As a model for human disease, the liver chip bioreactor may play a leading role in early drug discovery and development, including drug metabolism and toxicology. The chip will promote a better understanding of liver health, provide insight into disease prevention, and possibly reduce the need for liver transplants, say researchers.

For further information, contact JPSA, 17D Clinton Dr., Hollis, NH 03049, USA; phone: +1 603 5957048; fax: +1 603 5983835; e-mail: info@jpsalaser.com; Internet: www.jpsalaser.com.

Copyright ©2005 European Medical Device Manufacturer