Method for creating perfusable microvessel systems

A culture perfusion device for creating networks of perfusable microvessels in vitro comprising:

• means for drawing a mandrel through a matrix to form a channel through the matrix;
• means for injecting cells into the channel, the channel having an inner wall;
• means for incubating the matrix to allow the cells to attach to the inner wall;
• means for perfusing the channel to remove unattached cells to create a parent vessel, where the parent vessel includes a perfusable hollow channel lined with cells in the matrix;
• means for inducing the parent vessel to create sprouts into the surrounding matrix so as to form a microvessel network;
• and
• means for subjecting the microvessel network to luminal perfusion through the parent vessel.

A system for the creation of endothelial parent vessels from human vascular endothelial cells in vitro in a culture perfusion device (CPD) including a collagen chamber, a plurality of inlet ports, at least one capillary tube, and at least one outlet port comprising:

• an injector coupled to the collagen chamber for injecting a collagen solution into the collagen chamber until the chamber is filled with collagen;
• a tube coupled to the inlet ports for perfusing the CPD by filling the inlet ports and sequentially priming the plurality of inlet ports, and the outlet ports;
• at least one perfusable channel in the collagen chamber coupled to the inlet ports for allowing injection of a concentrated suspension of endothelial cells into the inlet ports, the at least one perfusable channel including walls for allowing the endothelial cells to attach to the walls after incubation;
• and
• where the at least one perfusable channel is adapted to form at least one vessel having homogeneous monolayers of cells.