Perfusion offers unique benefits to tissue-engineered systems, enhancing oxygen and nutrient transport, which improves tissue formation and growth. In this study, we present a novel and integrated portable perfusion system. Weighing < 10 lbs, the system can maintain continuous flow in a standard incubation environment (37 °C, 5% CO₂), effectively functioning as a portable perfusion and tissue culturing system. To characterize the perfusion system’s flow parameters, we measured the volumetric flow rate across a range of pressures and found that the system could achieve flow velocities between 1.69 to 4.6 $\mathsf{\mu }$m/s, which is similar to in vivo interstitial flow. Computational fluid dynamics revealed fully developed laminar flow within the sample-containing region of the perfusion system, helping ensure even fluid and nutrient distribution. To study the system’s compatibility with live tissues, bioengineered tissue patches were created and perfused. After 24 h of perfusion, no significant difference in cell viability was observed between the perfused samples and static controls, indicating no adverse effects on cell health. Perfusion also facilitated enhanced spatial organization within tissue patches, reducing the inter-spheroids distance. Furthermore, perfusion strengthened the tissue matrix and reduced the degradation rate of the hydrogel scaffold. Complemented by its ability to provide mobile perfusion and incubation, this novel integrated portable perfusion system holds promise for promoting tissue maturation and advancing tissue bioengineering studies.

Recent advancements in biotechnology forged the path for clinical trials in dish (CTiDs) to advance as a popular method of experimentation in biomedicine. CTiDs play a fundamental role in translational research through technologies such as induced pluripotent stem cells, whole genome sequencing, and organs-on-a-chip. In this review, we explore advancements that enable these CTiD biotechnologies and their applications in animal testing, disease modeling, and space radiation technologies. Furthermore, this review dissects the advantages and disadvantages of CTiDs, as well as their regulatory considerations. Lastly, we evaluate the challenges that CTiDs pose and the role of CTiDs in future experimentation.

Perfusion offers unique benefits to tissue-engineered systems, enhancing oxygen and nutrient transport which improves tissue formation and growth. In this study, we present a novel and integrated portable perfusion system, termed the FluidON. Weighing <10 lbs, the system can maintain continuous flow in a standard incubation environment (37°C, 5% CO ₂ ), effectively functioning as a portable perfusion and culture chamber. To test the system’s perfusion parameters, we measured the volumetric flow rate across a range of pressures and found that the system could achieve flow as low as 0.40± 0.19uL/s, which is similar to in vivo interstitial flow. Computational fluid dynamics revealed uniform flow distribution, laminar flow, and gentle circulation, helping ensure even fluid and nutrient distribution. To study the biocompatibility of the system, bioengineered tissue patches were created and perfused. Viability was assessed through flow cytometry. The system does not adversely affect cell health as the viability of perfused samples was found to be 40.99±6.22% alive after 24 hours (n=4), while that of the static control was 38.56±4.22% alive (n=4). To determine the effects of perfusion on spheroid spatial arrangement, perfused tissue patches were analyzed with light microscopy. It was discovered that perfusion promoted spheroid aggregation and cohesion, causing the distance from one spheroid to its nearest neighbor to decrease after 24 hours of perfusion. Perfusion was also found to improve the strength of hydrogels as the average hole area, caused by hydrolytic enzymes that degrade the hydrogel matrix, was smaller in perfused conditions compared to the control. Complemented by its ability to provide mobile perfusion and incubation, this novel integrated portable perfusion system holds promise for promoting tissue maturation, elevating tissue bioengineering studies.