Noninvasive imaging of tissue-engineered blood vessels

描述（由申请人提供）：在本项目中，我们将开发用于组织工程血管（TEBV）质量控制的新型成像技术。组织工程领域的最新发展导致了完全生物活性血管移植物的发展，其解决了与合成材料相关的主要问题，如炎症和感染。由于这种类型的血管移植物不是大批量生产的，而是以患者为基础，因此密切监测开发过程至关重要。与合成移植物不同，重复移植物的机械测试非常昂贵且不太可靠。因此，对预测生物力学特性的非侵入性方法的需求日益增长。然而，由于制造工艺的新奇，不存在合适的成像模态。该项目的目的是开发和完善基于透照光学断层扫描（OT）和光学相干断层扫描（OCT）的薄组织样本（血管移植物厚度为300 - 500 Lim）的方法，并将图像与生物力学特性联系起来。在本项目中，将开发OT和OCT扫描仪。这包括采集控制以及图像重建和增强算法的开发。目标是在10 pm的分辨率和较短（5-20分钟）的扫描时间下实现最佳信噪比。将开发专门的生物反应器，允许在不破坏无菌性的情况下获得生物反应器内生长容器的图像，从而允许进行常规检查。我们将通过与组织学和生物力学测试的比较来确定新模式的能力。所提出的OT和OCT成像技术不限于TEBV。其他应用包括传统的移植物以及其他组织工程产品，如人造皮肤和软骨。该项目的结果将提供新的成像方法，加速组织工程产品的开发和临床应用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this project we will develop novel imaging technology for quality control of tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBV). Recent developments in the field of tissue engineering led to the development of completely biological living vascular graft that solves major problems associated with synthetic materials such as inflammation and infection. Since this type of vascular graft is not produced in large batches, but rather on a patient-to-patient basis, close monitoring of the development process is paramount. Unlike synthetic grafts, mechanical testing of duplicate grafts is very costly and not very reliable. Hence, there is growing demand for noninvasive methods to predict biomechanical properties. However, due to the novelty of the manufacturing process, no suitable imaging modalities exist. The purpose of this project is to develop and refine methods based on transillumination optical tomography (OT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for thin tissue samples (vascular grafts are 300 - 500 Lim thick), and relate the images to biomechanical properties. In this project, the OT and OCT scanners will be developed. This includes the acquisition control and the development of image reconstruction and enhancement algorithms. The goal is to achieve optimum signal-to-noise ratio at a resolution of 10 pm and short (5-20 minute) scanning times. Specialized bioreactors will be developed that allow to obtain images of the growing vessels inside the bioreactor without breaking sterility, allowing for routine examination. We will determine the capabilities of the new modalities in comparison with histology and with respect to biomechanical testing. The proposed OT and OCT imaging techniques are not limited to TEBV. Additional applications include conventional grafts as well as other tissue engineering products, such as artificial skin and cartilage. The results of this project will provide novel imaging methods that will accelerate the development and clinical availability of tissue engineering products.