3D Bioplotter Research Papers
Biodegradable Multi-layered Silk Fibroin-PCL Stent for the Management of Cervical Atresia: In Vitro Cytocompatibility and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling In Vivo
Cervical atresia is a rare congenital Müllerian duct anomaly that manifests as the absence or deformed nonfunctional presence of the cervix. Herein, a multi-layered biodegradable stent is fabricated using a homogeneous blend of silk fibroin with polycaprolactone using hexafluoroisopropanol as a common solution. Briefly, a concentric cylinder of 3D honeycomb layer is sandwiched within electrospun sheets for fixing at the cervico-uterine junction to pave the way of cervical reconstruction. An average length of 40 mm with 3 mm diameter is fabricated for the hybrid stent design. SEM evidences an evenly distributed pore architecture of the electrospun layer, and mechanical characterization…
3D-printed regenerative polycaprolactone/silk fibroin osteogenic and chondrogenic implant for treatment of hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a developmental disorder that resulted in insufficient acetabular coverage. Current surgical treatments are technically demanding, complex, invasive, and often lead to associated complications. Therefore, the development of regenerative implants that fit to the bone and induce osteogenesis and chondrogenesis is in high demand. In this study, an implant was developed in which the osteogenic part was 3D printed using polycaprolactone (PCL), crosslinked with dopamine, and subjected to surface mineralization; while the chondrogenic part was prepared using silk fibroin (SF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2. Physical and chemical characterization of the implant was conducted using energy dispersive spectrometry…
Biomechanically, structurally and functionally meticulously tailored polycaprolactone/silk fibroin scaffold for meniscus regeneration
Meniscus deficiency, the most common and refractory disease in human knee joints, often progresses to osteoarthritis (OA) due to abnormal biomechanical distribution and articular cartilage abrasion. However, due to its anisotropic spatial architecture, complex biomechanical microenvironment, and limited vascularity, meniscus repair remains a challenge for clinicians and researchers worldwide. In this study, we developed a 3D printing-based biomimetic and composite tissue-engineered meniscus scaffold consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL)/silk fibroin (SF) with extraordinary biomechanical properties and biocompatibility. We hypothesized that the meticulously tailored composite scaffold could enhance meniscus regeneration and cartilage protection. Methods: The physical property of the scaffold was characterized by…
Entrapped in cage (EiC) scaffolds of 3D-printed polycaprolactone and porous silk fibroin for meniscus tissue engineering
The meniscus has critical functions in the knee joint kinematics and homeostasis. Injuries of the meniscus are frequent, and the lack of a functional meniscus between the femur and tibial plateau can cause articular cartilage degeneration leading to osteoarthritis development and progression. Regeneration of meniscus tissue has outstanding challenges to be addressed. In the current study, novel Entrapped in cage (EiC) scaffolds of 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) and porous silk fibroin were proposed for meniscus tissue engineering. As confirmed by micro-structural analysis the entrapment of silk fibroin was successful, and all scaffolds had excellent interconnectivity (≥99%). The EiC scaffolds had more…
Suturable regenerated silk fibroin scaffold reinforced with 3D-printed polycaprolactone mesh: biomechanical performance and subcutaneous implantation
The menisci have crucial roles in the knee, chondroprotection being the primary. Meniscus repair or substitution is favored in the clinical management of the meniscus lesions with given indications. The outstanding challenges with the meniscal scaffolds include the required biomechanical behavior and features. Suturability is one of the prerequisites for both implantation and implant survival. Therefore, we proposed herein a novel highly interconnected suturable porous scaffolds from regenerated silk fibroin that is reinforced with 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) mesh in the middle, on the transverse plane to enhance the suture-holding capacity. Results showed that the reinforcement of the silk fibroin scaffolds…