Development of complex biomedical systems with integration of biologically compatible membranes

(Short title: Membrane App)

Duration: 01.02.2021 - 31.01.2023

Membranes fulfill numerous technical functions and are excellently suited for separating compartments while ensuring mass transfer depending on the pore size and size of the molecules for which membrane permeability must be ensured. In particular, the properties in mass transfer and exchange as well as microfluidics and hydrodynamic pore flow are of highest interest for many applications in the biomedical field. The joining technology for the insertion of (micro)membranes for the separation of compartments in complex microstructured components, such as in organ-on-a-chip models, as well as the joining technology in combination with the manufacturing technology, represent a major challenge in this context. The membrane itself is usually a porous film with specific properties that require prudent handling to avoid membrane damage prior to use. In view of the serial manufacturing process using variothermal micro injection molding, the joining of the membrane with complex micro components, in particular, presents a complex challenge due to minimal joining areas and geometric, process and application-specific conditions.

The common project goal is to develop a joining technology for these challenges (in conjunction with the manufacturing technology, variothermal micro injection molding) and to make it usable with an economic approach. Within the scope of this development, three products or biomedical applications of the partners, a module for cell separation including separation matrix based on agarose beads/silica beads (IBA), perfusion inserts with and without integrated multichannel membrane system for optimized fluidic supply of 3D cell culture models (iba e.V.) and a cell barrier chip with focus on flow channel design as well as cell compatibility of the membrane (IMT), specifically developed to optimally combine the functionalities of membrane and process requirements. In this context, the processes (joining technology and variothermal injection molding) and the respective biomedical application as well as the required sterilization have to be implemented in such a way that an optimal efficiency can be achieved in combination with the manufacturing capabilities. The focus on process and mold development in the joint project lies with PUK and TPK. The aim is to combine all products in one injection mold. In addition, the technology development of the joining technology expands the range of manufacturing technologies in mold production and series production in the injection molding process. The jointly developed knowledge gain can be scaled to further applications and products of all partners and thus sustainably strengthens the knowledge and technology portfolio for the project partners in the market activities of the future.

The cooperation project is a joint venture of

  • IBA GmbH
  • Institute for Bioprocess and Analytical Measurement Technology e.V.
  • Institute for Microtechnology of the TU Braunschweig
  • Institute for Polymer Materials and Plastics Technology of the TU Clausthal
  • TPK Plastics Technology GmbH

At the Clausthal Center for Materials Technology (CZM), the project is located in the research cluster "Polymer Systems, Microsensors and Biologization", thus sharpening the research profile as well as the content-related orientation.

The project is funded by the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM). Sincere thanks go to the project executing organization and all sponsors and supporters.