3D Bioplotter Research Papers

Infection is one of the pivotal causes of nonunion in large bone defect after trauma or tumor resection. Three-dimensional (3D) composite scaffold with multifunctional-therapeutic properties offer many advantages over allogenic or xenogenic bone grafting for the restoration of challenging infected bone defects. In the previous study, we demonstrated that quaternized chitosan (HACC)-grafted polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffold (PLGA/HA/HACC) via 3D-printing technique exhibited significantly improved antimicrobial and osteoconductive property in vitro, together with good biocompatibility in vivo. Hence, the present study further investigated whether such an innovative bone substitute could effectively inhibit the bacterial biofilm formation and promote bone regeneration in vivo.…

Contaminated or infected bone defects remain serious challenges in clinical trauma and orthopaedics, and a bone substitute with both osteoconductivity and antibacterial properties represents an improvement for treatment strategy. In this study, quaternized chitosan (hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan, HACC) was grafted to 3D-printed scaffolds composed of polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and hydroxyapatite (HA), in order to design bone engineering scaffolds endowed with antibacterial and osteoconductive properties. We found that both the PLGA/HA/HACC and PLGA/HACC composite scaffolds decreased bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Additionally, ATP leakage assay indicated that immobilizing HACC on the scaffolds could effectively…

The development of the effective 3D printing strategy for diverse functional monomers is still challenging. Moreover, the conventional 3D printing hydrogels are usually soft and fragile due to the lack of an energy dissipation mechanism. Herein, a microsphere mediating ink preparation strategy is developed to provide tailored rheological behavior for various monomer direct ink writings. The chitosan microspheres are used as an exemplary material due to their tunable swelling ratio under the acid-drived electrostatic repulsion of the protonated amino groups. The rheological behaviors of the swollen chitosan microsphere (SCM) are independent on the monomer types, and various functional secondary polymers…

A high incidence of ureteral diseases was needed to find better treatments such as implanting ureteral stents. The existing ureteral stents produced a series of complications such as bacterial infection and biofilm after implantation. The fused deposition modeling (FDM) of 3D printing biodegradable antibacterial ureteral stents had gradually become the trend of clinical treatment. But it was necessary to optimize the FDM 3D printing parameters of biodegradable bacteriostatic materials to improve the precision and performance of manufacturing. In this study, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and nanosilver (AgNP) were mixed by the physical blending method, and the 3D printing parameters…

Ureteral stents are commonly used in clinical treatment of ureteral diseases. There were a series of complications, such as biofilms and crusts caused by bacteria after surgery. Therefore, biodegradable with bacteriostatic ureteral scaffolds would be the potential to solve above mentioned problems. In this study, nanosilver (AgNP) was added to the polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) to prepare biodegradable antibacterial ureteral scaffold samples by 3D printing. The biocompatibility, antibacterial properties, degradability, and mechanical properties of samples were observed. The samples were under a strong inhibitory effect on both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and the…

Promoting rapid healing of diabetic wounds caused by hyperglycemia, bacterial infection, and chronic inflammation is a global challenge. To address this issue, we design and prepare a novel cerium-based MOF nanozyme hydrogel via 3D printing technology to provide a personalized hydrogel wound dressing. The hydrogel is unique in that cerium-based MOFs are grown into the hydrogel network, simplifying the printing process of MOF hydrogel. The prepared hydrogel exhibits specific catalytic activity to various oxygen free radicals and glucose concentration-dependent color changes due to the interconversion between different valence cerium ions. This feature allows for indirect monitoring of glucose content around…

The development of new biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration with high bioactivity abilities and antibacterial properties is being intensively investigated. We have synthesized nanocomposites formed by mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) in the ternary SiO2, CaO and P2O5 system doped with metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were homogenously embedded in the MBG matrices. Ag/MBG nanocomposites have been directly synthesized and silver species were spontaneously reduced to metallic AgNPs by high temperatures (700 °C) obtained of last MBG synthesis step. Three-dimensional silver-containing mesoporous bioactive glass scaffolds were fabricated showing uniformly interconnected ultrapores, macropores and mesopores. The manufacture method consisted of a combination…

Implant-associated infections are not easy to diagnose and very difficult to treat, due to the ability of major pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, to develop biofilms and escape the immune response and antibiotic treatment. We, therefore, aimed to develop a 3D-printed dual rifampicin (Rif)- and vancomycin (Van)-loaded polylacticco-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) delivery system based on hydrogels made of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA). The release of Rif and Van from NPs manufactured from different PLGA molecular weights was studied in phosphate-buffered saline for 21 days. Low molecular weight PLGA NPs exhibited the fastest release of Rif and Van within the first…

3D Bioprinting plays an irreplaceable role in bone tissue engineering. Shellac and curcumin are two natural compounds that are widely used in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. In this study, a new composite scaffold with good biocompatibility and antibacterial ability was manufactured by adding shellac and curcumin into the traditional bone scaffold through low-temperature three-dimensional printing (LT-3DP), and its impact on the osteoimmune microenvironment was evaluated.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a promising material for the development of scaffold implants for auricle reconstruction. However, preparing a personalized HDPE auricle implant with favorable bioactive and antibacterial functions to promote skin tissue ingrowth is challenging. Herein, we present 3D-printed HDPE auricle scaffolds with satisfactory pore size and connectivity. The layer-by-layer (LBL) approach was applied to achieve the improved bioactive and antibacterial properties of these 3D printed scaffolds. The HDPE auricle scaffolds were fabricated using an extrusion 3D printing approach, and the individualized macrostructure and porous microstructure were both adjusted by the 3D printing parameters. The polydopamine (pDA) coating method…

Three-dimensional (3D) printed hydrogel scaffolds enhanced with ceramics have shown potential applications for cartilage regeneration, but leaving biological and mechanical properties to be desired. This paper presents our study on the development of chitosan /alginate scaffolds with nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) by combining 3D printing and impregnating techniques, forming a hybrid, yet novel, structure of scaffolds for potential cartilage regeneration. First, we incorporated nHA into chitosan scaffold printing and studied the printability by examining the difference between the printed scaffolds and their designs. Then, we impregnated alginate with nHA into the printed chitosan scaffolds to forming a hybrid structure of scaffolds;…

In the field of orthopedics, an infected bone defect is a refractory disease accompanied by bone infection and defects as well as aggravated circulation. There are currently no personalized scaffolds that can treat bone infections using local stable and sustained-release antibiotics while providing mechanical support and bone induction to promote bone repair in the process of absorption in vivo. In our previous study, rifampicin/moxifloxacin-poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres were prepared and tested for sustained release and antibacterial activity. The composite scaffold of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/Pearl had a positive effect on mechanics supports and promoted osteogenesis. Therefore, in this study, the…

Controlled release of drugs from medical implants is an effective approach to reducing foreign body reactions and infections. We report here on a one-step 3D printing strategy to create drug-eluting polymer devices with a drug-loaded bulk and a drug-free coating. The spontaneously formed drug-free coating dramatically reduces the surface roughness of the implantable devices and serves as a protective layer to suppress the burst release of drugs. A high viscosity liquid silicone that can be extruded based on its shear-thinning property and quickly vulcanize upon exposure to ambient moisture is used as the ink for 3D printing. S-Nitrosothiol type nitric…

The high surface area ratio and special structure of mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) endow it with excellent physical adsorption of various drugs without destroying the chemical activity. Silicate 1393 bioactive glass (1393) is famous for its fantastic biodegradability and osteogenesis. Herein, we have built a novel vehicle-like drug delivery 3D printing scaffold with multiplexed drug delivery capacity by coating MBG on the surface of 1393 (1393@MBG). Furthermore, we have applied DEX and BMP-2 on the 1393@MBG scaffold to endow it with antibacterial and osteogenic properties. Results indicated that this 1393@MBG scaffold could effectively load and controlled release BMP-2, DNA and…

Bacterial infection of the implanting materials is one of the greatest challenges in bone tissue engineering. In this study, porous forsterite scaffolds with antibacterial activity have been fabricated by combining 3D printing and polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) strategy, which effectively avoided the generation of MgSiO3 and MgO impurities. Forsterite scaffolds sintered in an argon atmosphere can generate free carbon in the scaffolds, which exhibited excellent photothermal effect and could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in vitro. In addition, forsterite scaffolds have uniform macroporous structure, high compressive strength (>30 MPa) and low degradation rate.…

Bone infection is a feared complication following surgery or trauma that remains as an extremely difficult disease to deal with. So far, the outcome of therapy could be improved with the design of 3D implants, which combine the merits of osseous regeneration and local multidrug therapy so as to avoid bacterial growth, drug resistance and the feared side effects. Herein, hierarchical 3D multidrug scaffolds based on nanocomposite bioceramic and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) prepared by rapid prototyping with an external coating of gelatin-glutaraldehyde (Gel-Glu) have been fabricated. These 3D scaffolds contain three antimicrobial agents (rifampin, levofloxacin and vancomycin), which have been…

3D scaffolds based in mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are being widely investigated to use in bone tissue engineering (TE) applications. These scaffolds are often obtained by rapid prototyping (RP) and exhibit an array of interconnected pores in a hierarchy of sizes. The ordered mesopore network (around 4 nm in diameter) is optimal for the adsorption and release of bone inductor biomolecules, and the arrangement of macropores over 100 μm facilitates the bone cell ingrowths and angiogenesis. Nevertheless MBG composition can be varied almost infinitely at the atomic scale by including in the glass network oxides of inorganic elements with a…

Porous 3-D scaffolds consisting of gelatine and Si-doped hydroxyapatite were fabricated at room temperature by rapid prototyping. Microscopic characterization revealed a highly homogeneous structure, showing the pre-designed porosity (macroporosity) and a lesser in-rod porosity (microporosity). The mechanical properties of such scaffolds are close to those of trabecular bone of the same density. The biological behavior of these hybrid scaffolds is greater than that of pure ceramic scaffolds without gelatine, increasing pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation (matrix mineralization and gene expression). Since the fabrication process of these structures was carried out at mild conditions, an antibiotic (vancomycin) was incorporated in the slurry…

Nanocellulose has a variety of advantages, which make the material most suitable for use in biomedical devices such as wound dressings. The material is strong, allows for production of transparent films, provides a moist wound healing environment, and can form elastic gels with bioresponsive characteristics. In this study, we explore the application of nanocellulose as a bioink for modifying film surfaces by a bioprinting process. Two different nanocelluloses were used, prepared with TEMPO mediated oxidation and a combination of carboxymethylation and periodate oxidation. The combination of carboxymethylation and periodate oxidation produced a homogeneous material with short nanofibrils, having widths

This study reports the design and preparation of zwitterionic nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) capable of inhibiting bacterial adhesion while allowing osteoblast cell colonization. The surface functionalization of HA powders was carried out by post-synthesis grafting of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and carboxyethylsilanetriol sodium salt (CES) as amine and carboxylate precursors, respectively. The successful functionalization of HA surfaces was assessed by elemental chemical analysis, FTIR, 29Si, 31P and 13C solid state CP/MAS NMR and ζ-potential measurements, and the zwitterionic nature of the synthesized HA was proved through the presence of –NH3+/–COO− pairs on the material surfaces. With the aim of evaluating the feasibility of…

The costs associated with the treatment of medical device and surgical site infections are a major cause of concern in the global healthcare system. To prevent transmission of such infections, a prophylactic surface system that provides protracted release of antibacterial silver ions using low intensity direct electric current (LIDC; 28 μA system current at 6 V) activation has been recently developed. To ensure the safety for future in vivo studies and potential clinical applications, this study assessed the biocompatibility of the LIDC-activated interdigitated silver electrodes-based surface system; in vitro toxicity to human epidermal keratinocytes, human dermal fibroblasts, and normal human…

Scaffolds used in the field of tissue engineering should facilitate the adherence, spreading, and ingrowth of cells as well as prevent microbial adherence. For the first time, this study simultaneously deals with microbial and tissue cell adhesion to rapid prototyping-produced 3D-scaffolds. The cell growth of human osteosarcoma cells (CAL-72) over a time period of 3-11 days were examined on three scaffolds (PLGA, PLLA, PLLA-TCP) and compared to the adhesion of salivary microorganisms and representative germs of the oral flora (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella nigrescens, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus sanguinis). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cell proliferation measurements, and…

Rapid prototyping (RP)-produced scaffolds aregaining increasing importance in scaffold-guided tissueengineering. Microbial adhesion on the surface of replacement materials has a strong influence on healing and long-term outcome. Consequently, it is important to examine the adherence of microorganisms on RP-produced scaffolds. This research focussed on manufacturing of scaffolds by 3D-bioplotting and examination of their microbial adhesion characteristics. Tricalciumphosphate (TCP), calcium/sodium alginate, and poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) constructs were produced and used to study the adhesion of dental pathogens. Six oral bacterial strains, one Candida strain and human saliva were used for the adhesion studies. The number of colony forming units (CFU) were…