Design Considerations for Muscle‐Actuated Biohybrid Devices

Abstract

Biohybrid robotics that integrates living components into synthetic structures is currently one of the most challenging fields of robotics. Among this biohybrid robotics, muscle-actuated biohybrid devices have attracted much attention of researchers in not only mechanical engineering but also in bioengineering and material chemistry. Skeletal muscle is in charge of voluntary movement and locomotion in animals, and skeletal muscle tissues and cells have been utilized as actuators. Smooth muscles are found in various parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal duct, blood vessel, reproductive organ, and so forth. Oxygen supply is a common issue in the tissue engineering field. It is widely known that lack of oxygen frequently causes necrosis even in small cell aggregates such as spheroids. Muscles, particularly when actively contracting, has high oxygen demand compared to other tissues. To enter an industrial phase, connection with other tissues would also aid design and fabrication.