Microfluidics and Simulation

In close cooperation with Human Med AG and the Department of Cell Biology at Rostock University Medical Center, this joint project aims to develop a suitable drive for an innovative combination of vibration-assisted liposuction (PAL) and water-jet-assisted liposuction (WAL). One focus of the project is developing and applying novel test rigs to analyze the fluid mechanics of the generated water jet, the handpiece's vibration, and the device's sound emission. Another objective is to analyze the shear stress that acts on the fatty tissue in the new procedure. Investigations using numerical flow simulation (computational fluid dynamics simulation) accompany the experimental analysis to determine critical process limits.

A further aim is to develop a training model for users of vibration-assisted liposuction, water-jet-assisted liposuction, and related procedures. The target groups of the training model are, for example, doctors and other medical staff. The success of treatment using liposuction procedures depends very much on the user's level of experience with these procedures. The new training model to be developed is intended to allow users to gain experience in the practical application of WAL,

PAL, and related procedures at an early stage and without risk to patients. The training model should represent the anatomical conditions of certain human body regions as realistically as possible. To implement such a training model, the aim is to develop tissue analogs for fatty tissue, skin tissue, and bony structures, as well as suitable 3D printing-based manufacturing processes. The tissue analogs and manufacturing processes are to be developed to implement realistic training models for different body regions.

Person in charge: Dipl.-Ing. Erik Westphal, Florian Neukirch, M. Sc.

Project duration: 10/2023 – 09/2026

Funded by: Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Bau und Tourismus (M-V), Operationelles Programm für den Europäischen Fonds für regionale Entwicklung in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in der Förderperiode 2021 bis 2027 (EFRE-OP M-V)

Partners:

• Human Med AG, Schwerin
• Arbeitsbereich Zellbiologie, Universitätsmedizin Rostock

The research project aims to develop a new, modular electrohydraulic pump system that allows energy recovery and resource-saving use in four quadrant operations. The aim is to increase the pressure and speed range with the smallest possible installation space and the lowest possible noise emissions.

The sub-project of the Chair of Microfluidics is concerned with maximizing efficiency by optimizing flow control. Due to the four-quadrant operation, the flow control in the system poses a major challenge, particularly at high speeds and pressures. To increase efficiency, the flow control must be optimized in relation to the operating mode. As part of the project, various geometric designs will be analyzed iteratively using flow simulation and evaluated about optimized flow routing. In particular, cavitation-critical and pressure loss-critical points must be detected and minimized through suitable geometry changes.

Person in charge:Pedram Azizi M.Sc.

Project duration: 06/2021 - 10/2023

Funded by: Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Gesundheit (M-V), Operationelles Programm für den Europäischen Fonds für regionale Entwicklung in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in der Förderperiode 2014 bis 2020 (EFRE-OP M-V)

Partners:

• Hydraulik Nord Technologies GmbH, Parchim
• Universität Rostock; Lehrstuhl für Getriebe- und Antriebstechnik
• Fraunhofer IGP, Rostock

In the ASiMof project, the Chair of Microfluidics is developing a CFD simulation model to determine the fibre orientation during the application of a selected adhesive and then simulatively optimizes the bonding process with the aid of this model about fibre orientation. The fiber alignment determined by CFD simulation is to be compared experimentally with samples bonded at the Chair of Production Engineering, which are examined by micro-CT at the Institute of Joining and Welding Technology at the TU Braunschweig.

The CFD model developed should make it possible to predict the fiber orientation, which can be specifically influenced with the help of various influencing variables (shape of the application nozzle, application speed, joining process). By simulating the flow behavior during application and joining, influencing variables resulting from the adhesive formulation (fiber length, fiber thickness) are also considered. The orientation of the short fibers is to be determined using the orientation tensor, which is to be implemented in the CFD solver ANSYS FLUENT during the project

Person in charge:Dr.-Ing. Christoph Drobek

Project duration: 09/2022 - 10/2024

Funded by: AiF – Forschungsnetzwerk Mittelstand, IGF - Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung

Partners:

• Universität Rostock, Lehrstuhl für Fertigungstechnik, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wilko Flügge
• TU Braunschweig, Institut für Füge- und Schweißtechnik IFS, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Dilger

As part of the joint project Actiheal, innovative technologies for activating and applying tissues and cells to treat chronic wounds are being developed.

The aim of the project is the biomodulation and clinical application of regenerative cells of the stromal vascular fraction for the treatment of chronic wounds, which occur, for example, in diabetic patients (diabetic foot). These treatments should make it possible to noticeably improve patients' quality of life and prevent the complications typical of diabetes.

For this purpose, mesenchymal stem cells are extracted from human adipose tissue (adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells, adMSC). The stem cells are then irradiated using near-infrared to infrared light (low-level-light-therapy, LLLT) or perfused with cold atmospheric plasma and applied autologously. The biomodulation processes should increase the proliferation (multiplication of cells through cell division) of the stem cells and thus improve wound healing. In this joint project, the Chair of Microfluidics is responsible for developing, producing, and optimizing microchannel cassettes for photobiomodulation and plasma biomodulation of cell suspensions and microtissue clusters from human adipose tissue. The cassette prototypes are produced using additive manufacturing processes of biocompatible materials, enabling rapid optimization.

Person in charge: Mario Thürling M.Sc. (Elternzeit); Florian Neukirch M.Sc.

Project duration: 09/2019 bis 09/2023

Funded by: Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Bau und Tourismus (M-V), Operationelles Programm für den Europäischen Fonds für regionale Entwicklung in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in der Förderperiode 2014 bis 2020 (EFRE-OP M-V)

Partners:

• Human Med AG, Schwerin
• Arbeitsbereich Zellbiologie, Universitätsmedizin Rostock
• Kompetenzzentrum Diabetes, Klinikum Karlsburg

As part of the HOGEMA joint project, hydrostatic high-pressure technology (HHD) is to be optimized and made usable for the processing of various types of tissue from supporting (bone, cartilage) and connective (fascia) tissue for the production of allografts and tissue model systems. The aim is to enable the treatment of tissue defects with allogenic transplant tissue.

The hydrostatic high-pressure technology (HHD) is intended to devitalize the tissue quickly and gently without negatively impacting its structural properties. The Chair of Microfluidics is responsible for developing a new type of irrigation chamber in close cooperation with the IPT Wismar. This is used for the semi-automated, gentle, reproducible, and time-saving cleaning of HHD-treated allografts of various tissues. Microbiological contamination will be excluded, and tissue residues consisting of blood, connective tissue residues, bone marrow, muscle tissue, and cell residues will be removed. Combined with the HHD treatment, the rinsing chamber addresses the current deficit of a less standardized and time- and process-intensive treatment of allografts with chemically aggressive media. The Chair of Microfluidics is setting up test rigs for selected mechanical cleaning principles, and new scientific findings on optimum performance parameters are being developed. This is done hand in hand with the clinical partners, who provide allograft samples and contribute their expertise (e.g., histological staining) for evaluation. Iteratively, functional models of an irrigation chamber will be created using state-of-the-art manufacturing methods (e.g., additive manufacturing), which will be made available to the partners during the project. In addition, a test environment for the functional models will be established, allowing the validation of technical operating parameters and the use of allograft samples.

Within the HOGEMA joint project, the tissues are to be extensively characterized in cell culture and animal studies after processing to test their feasibility for later clinical application. In addition, the project aims to provide devitalized tissue for developing and establishing physiologically similar model systems, which will subsequently be used instead of animal models for various basic research questions.