Abstract
We report a new approach that overcomes current limitations of closely simulating the complex lung physiology by integrating both bronchiolar and alveolar lung compartments into a single platform. An ideal lung platform combines air-liquid interface, branchining of bronchi, and mechanical deformation of alveolar sac. To capture all these features in a 3D respiratory platform, we have developed a rapid fabrication method that uniquely harnesses lamination of laser patterned substrates and adhesives. Tubular and porous, mixed cellulose ester hollow fibers (to mimic the bronchioles) or, poly-L-lactide (PLLA) membrane (to mimic the alveoli) was integrated between the layers and stacked into a 3D tissue culturing environment.