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A methodology to develop a vascular geometry for in vitro cell culture using additive manufacturing
will offer a new approach to cure SCD. The long- several tools or activities to exchange knowledge, such
term goal of this research is to better understand the as literature reviews, informal meetings and discussions
pathophysiology of cerebral arterial disease in SCD and with managers, engineers, researchers, and physicians,
possibly to discover or predict the chances of success, punctual observations of work practices, and knowledge
of new therapeutic approaches. Unfortunately, animal transfer processes . Wong et al. proposed to follow a
[7]
models do not allow the analysis of the pathophysiology process to manage the engineering and production of
of cerebral vasculopathy because of the huge difference biomedical devices. The product development strategy
between animal and human according to the vessel includes a product conceptualization, a market survey
geometry and the hemorheological parameters. and the establishment of strategic alliances, the design,
Moreover, in vitro 3D models can allow the analysis of prototyping, and product development, the testing and
extreme conditions that can occur in pathophysiological commissioning, and technology protection, through
[8]
conditions but are difficult to reproduce except in vitro patents .
conditions. A first step is to develop cell culture on a AM Bradbury et al. provided an innovative method for rapid
vascular geometry for in vitro studies. Actually, there are design, manufacture, and selection of biomedical devices
very few methodologies intended to help the designer to such as implants or oral dosage pills using electronic data
manufacture a vascular geometry in AM and to perform and modeling transmissions through computer networks
[9]
in vitro cell culture on it. As the product is innovative such as the internet, intranets or extranets .
and highly multidisciplinary, it is mandatory to answer A multi-dimensional digital model may be created
the following research question: Which methodology based on radiological data and patient information.
should be used to develop an AM vascular geometry A collaboration between clinical professionals and
designed for cell culture in these in vitro models? This engineers allows modification of the digital model. Once
paper presents the design approach used to develop the digital model is approved, it may be converted into
this experimental product. More generally, this method machine instructions to build the biomedical device. This
could be applied to all human-based products designed method for rapid construction of biomedical devices
for biological purposes using AM. Finally, a use-case is may be applied to AM. Thus, it is necessary first of all to
proposed to validate the method. analyze the medical need. Then, the knowledge between
the medical profession and the engineers is shared
2. Research Objectives and Specifications throughout the project.

In the first part of the project, the aim is to decipher 3.2. Methodologies to Design Innovative
the biological pathways involved in the vessel damage Products based on AM
due to hemorheological pathological conditions found
in SCD children. Previous work provided shear stress According to Chu et al., the main role of AM technologies
abnormalities in the in silico study that should be is to produce “parts and devices that are geometrically
reproduced and analyzed in a 3D model. Thanks to AM, complex, have graded material compositions, and can
the prototype of a vascular geometry can be rapidly be customized.” Besides, it is possible to build almost
realized. Then, the effect of sheer stress in a child with any shape with a large range of materials, which could
SCD will be understood. The constraints established by be difficult to produce using conventional manufacturing
methods such as milling, turning, or casting. AM also
the various stakeholders involved in this project are as offers fabrication of parts with reduced costs and with
follows: The material must allow to study in vitro the rapid availability .
[10]
interactions between the blood and the endothelium but Bourell et al. advocated to develop new design
also the impact of pathological speeds of the blood flow methodologies dedicated to AM: Design for AM
on the endothelial cells. (DFAM) . The most widespread definition of DFAM is
[11]
3. State-of-The-Art a methodology which “maximize product performance
through the synthesis of shapes, sizes, hierarchical
3.1. Methodologies to Develop Innovative structures, and material compositions, subject to the
Medical Devices capabilities of AM technologies” and “to best utilize
manufacturing process capabilities to achieve desired
Design of innovative complex products in the medical performance and other life-cycle objectives” [12,13] .
field often involves both engineers and medical experts. Wong and Hernandez presented the general process
As innovative medical devices require collaboration of AM . It is also presented by Noorani in Figure 1.
[14]
between multidisciplinary teams, it is important to set up It summarizes the stages of product development using
a framework to transfer knowledge an efficient between rapid prototyping and shows that there can be several
those two domains . Arntzen-Bechina and Leguy proposed iterations before the final product.
[6]
100 International Journal of Bioprinting (2019)–Volume 5, Issue 2