Biological microthreads are one method of stem cell delivery. However, during delivery, cells are damaged due to forces from the heart wall. A protective sheath was designed that encompassed the threads to increase the number of cells successfully delivered. The sheath possesses mechanical stability to withstand the forces placed on it during surgery. The team conducted various tests including mechanical strength and threading through the heart wall to determine whether the sheath successfully delivered cell-seeded microthreads to the heart. The team discovered that a protective sheath made from electrospun polyethylene terephthalate provided sufficient mechanical stability to protect cell-loaded microthreads during delivery to the heart.

• 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

• Kowaleski, Mark Christopher
• Chornoby, Kyley Jean
• Holmberg, Rebecca Rey

Colaboradores

• Fakharzadeh, Mike

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042810-165315

Advisor

• Gaudette, Glenn R.

Year

• 2010

Date created

• 2010-04-28

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright