A numerical analysis of cell density effect on oxygen transport in a micro-bioreactor with a tissue engineering scaffold

The effect of cell density on the fluid dynamics and oxygen transport in a micro-bioreactor with a tissue engineering scaffold was investigated. Variations of the permeability and porosity of the scaffold with cell density were estimated by a simple model. Based on the permeability and the porosity obtained, the flow and oxygen transport in a micro-bioreactor were simulated numerically. It was found that the flow rate passing through the scaffold is reduced with an increase in cell density. The oxygen concentration within the scaffold also decreases with an increase in cell density, due to lower oxygen convection caused by lower porous flow rate and higher oxygen consumption. The results suggest that, for high cell density culture, the oxygen concentration within the scaffold may be overestimated if the cell density effect is neglected.