Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (51): 9539-9544.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.51.009

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Mechanical properties of porcine aorta after vacuum freeze-drying processes

Yin Meng1, Liu Meng-fang2, Cao Qing1, Wu Jian-qing2, Tao Le-ren2   

  1. 1 Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai   200127, China; 2 Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai   200093, China
  • Online:2010-12-17 Published:2010-12-17
  • Contact: Cao Qing, Master, Attending physician, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China cao.qing1@gmail.com
  • About author:Yin Meng☆, Doctor, Attending physician, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China Yinmeng2001@yahoo.com.cn Liu Meng-fang☆, Studying for doctorate, Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China lmf102284@sina.com Yin Meng and Liu Meng-fang equally contributed to this paper.
  • Supported by:

    Science and Technology Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. YZ1012*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Previous studies focus on the freeze-drying cryoprotectant, cooling rate, storage temperature and other factors, but there is no a study reporting freeze-drying process on the mechanical properties of freeze-dried vessels.
OBJECTIVE: The present study was to determine the optimal control parameters of cryodesiccation conditions for porcine aortas through analyzing the mechanical properties of the freeze-dried samples after rehydration in comparison to the fresh controls.
METHODS: Fresh porcine aortas were freeze-dried by means of vacuum freeze-drying technology, and samples of porcine aortas were pre-cooled using an auto-temperature controller. The following primary and secondary drying phases were applied for aortas dehydration induced by vacuum. Mechanical properties of the freeze-dried samples were analyzed after rehydration, including the puncture tolerance, axial tensile stress and circumferential tensile stress, of the porcine aortas were evaluated by the texture analyzer.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The suitable pre-cooled rate of freeze-drying vessels was 1 K/min, and freeze-dried range at firstly -20 ℃ and secondarily 10 ℃. In comparison to the fresh controls, the post-rehydration puncture tolerance and circumferential tensile stress increased by 20% and 30%, respectively, with a decrease of 20% in axial tensile stress. Porcine aortas could preserve the elasticity, pressure-proof and compliance comparable to those of the fresh controls after rehydration, suggested as an effective way to the mechanical preservation of blood vessels.

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