ABSTRACT
Objective The micro-vascular element plays a key role in the delivery of nutrients and the regulation of hemodynamic behavior, however, research is often hindered by ethical , economic and technological issues .Therefore, construction of a micro-vascular network in vitro will help to study the related pathological and physiological behavior in microvessels.Methods In this study, a micro-vascular element model with features of a micro-vascular network in vivo was designed based on the network structure of retinal arterioles .A micro-vascular network model in vitro, characterized by network asymmetry and the presence of both bifurcation-and side-branches , was developed by soft lithography technology . The developed microdevice allowed for the quantification of the cell -depletion layer ( CDL) thickness and hematocrit ( Ht) distribution within the microchannel networks .Results and Conclusion The study showed the potential of the developed in vitro model in revealing key hemodynamic features which have been detected for microvascular elements in vivo, including the relationships between CDL thickness , Ht and red blood cell distribution .The present study provides a new strategy and a technology for studying hemodynamics and microvascular system diseases in vitro.
