Numerical Solution of a Complete Formulation of Flow in a Perfusion Bone-Tissue Bioreactor Using Lattice Boltzmann Equation Method

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive numerical model of flow and transport in a perfusion bone-tissue bioreactor using the lattice Boltzmann method, aiding bioreactor design and optimization.

Contribution

It introduces a complete coupled convection-diffusion model including scaffold attachment and boundary conditions, advancing bioreactor simulation accuracy.

Findings

Whole-device steady-state flow and species distribution characterized

Identification of elements suitable for coarse-grained modeling

Demonstration of numerical modeling's role in bioreactor development

Abstract

We report the key findings from numerical solutions of a model of transport within an established perfusion bioreactor design. The model includes a complete formulation of transport with fully coupled convection-diffusion and scaffold cell attachment. It also includes the experimentally determined internal (Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA)) scaffold boundary, together with the external vessel and flow-port boundaries. Our findings, obtained using parallel lattice Boltzmann equation method, relate to (i) whole-device, steady-state flow and species distribution and (ii) the properties of the scaffold. In particular the results identify which elements of the problem may be addressed by coarse grained methods such as the Darcy approximation and those which require a more complete description. The work demonstrates that appropriate numerical modelling will make a key contribution to the design and development of large scale bioreactors.