A low-cost scalable 3D-printed sample-holder for agitation-based decellularization of biological tissues

Carbonaro D, Putame G, Castaldo C, Meglio FD, Siciliano K, Belviso I, Romano V, Sacco AM, Schonauer F, Montagnani S, Audenino AL, Morbiducci U, Gallo D, Massai D.

A low-cost scalable 3D-printed sample-holder for agitation-based decellularization of biological tissues. Med Eng Phys. 2020 Nov;85:7-15.

In this study, we developed a low-cost scalable 3D-printed sample-holder for agitation-based decellularization purposes, designed for treating multiple specimens simultaneously and for improving efficiency, homogeneity and reproducibility of the decellularization treatment with respect to conventional agitation-based approaches. In detail, the proposed sample-holder is able to house up to four specimens and, immersed in the decellularizing solution within a beaker placed on a magnetic stirrer, to expose them to convective flow, enhancing the solution transport through the spec- imens while protecting them. Computational fluid dynamics analyses were performed to investigate the fluid phenomena establishing within the beaker and to support the sample-holder design. Exploratory biological tests performed on human skin specimens demonstrated that the sample-holder reduces process duration and increases treatment homogeneity and reproducibility.