Computational Modeling of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds as Delivery Devices for Mechanical and Mechanically Modulated Signals - Computational Modeling in Tissue Engineering - page 133

Fig. 10 CFD predicts shear stress to vary by an order of magnitude in longitudinal channels of a
target tissue engineering scaffold geometry (80 dyn/cm 2 , a, c) compared to transverse channels
(10 dyn/cm 2 , b, c). Adapted from [ 2 ], used with permission
6 CFD Modeling for Design of Tissue Engineering
Scaffolds Geometry
Mechanically induced fluid movement through tissue engineering scaffolds
provides a driving force for nutrient transport and waste removal. Furthermore,
fluid flow can accelerate or activate bone development (osteogenesis and chon-
drogenesis) of MSCs [ 8 , 11 ] through convective augmentation of anabolic
biochemical factor transport or by delivery of mechanical cues at the interface
between the fluid and the cell [ 2 , 9 , 23 , 25 ].
A recently published CFD model explores effects of fluid flow in tissue engi-
neering scaffolds designed to treat cranial defects (Fig. 2 c). CFD predicts the
different mechanical environments prevailing in longitudinal and transverse flow
conduits, as well as on the conduit walls (inner surfaces of the scaffold) where cells
are seeded (Fig. 10 ). Hence, by changing the size and relative geometry fluid
channels in scaffolds, CFD can be used to optimize flow regimes within the
scaffold to maintain nutrient and waste transport while achieving target mechan-
ical stresses to guide stem cells toward target lineages using flow induced