Electronic pacemakers are widely used to treat cardiac pacing problems, but the devices have inherent limitations. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) transfected human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) show promise as a solution to these problems, but these cells must be contained at the implant site to preserve functionality and patient safety. This project aims to design and fabricate a device that is capable of preventing cell migration while allowing for cell-cell interactions and enabling minimally invasive delivery. A heat-sealed, micropatterned scaffold was created to achieve mechanical strength and cell retention while maintaining low thickness necessary for cell interactions. Testing suggests cells can be safely restrained during and after implantation.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Sood, Disha
• Qiao, Yun
• Whitman, Matthew Aaron
• Chunis, Peter M

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042512-163416

Advisor

• Gaudette, Glenn R.

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright