Microstructuring of materials with laser technologies for biomedical applications

Abstract

This thesis presents the use of laser technologies for structuring different materials for applications in biomedicine. One of the aims of this work is the fabrication of fluidic chips for their employment as preclinical devices. By direct or indirect laser techniques, materials like soda-lime glass, titanium or tantalum are structured. Dimensions from microns to millimetres are achieved, depending on the final application of the chip. In particular, a device that imitates a coronary bifurcation is fabricated by laser technologies and soft-lithography methods. It is validated by culturing endothelial cells in their inner walls that withstand flow conditions. Other structures, like microchannels, a circulating tumour cells capturing chip or patterns over titanium and tantalum are manufactured.