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.…

Silicate bioceramic scaffolds are of great interest in bone tissue engineering, but the fabrication of silicate bioceramic scaffolds with complex geometries is still challenging. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) porous β-Ca2SiO4 scaffolds have been successfully fabricated from preceramic resin loaded with CaCO3 active filler by 3D printing. The fabricated β-Ca2SiO4 scaffolds had uniform interconnected macropores (ca. 400 μm), high porosity (>78%), enhanced mechanical strength (ca. 5.2 MPa), and excellent apatite mineralization ability. Importantly, the results showed that the increase of sintering temperature significantly enhanced the compressive strength and the scaffolds sintered at higher sintering temperature stimulated the adhesion, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity,…

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…

Synthetic polymeric scaffolds are commonly used in bone tissue engineering (BTE) due to their biocompatibility and adequate mechanical properties. However, their hydrophobicity and the lack of specific cell recognition sites confined their practical application. In this study, to improve the cell seeding efficiency and osteoinductivity, an injectable thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel (CSG) was incorporated into a 3D-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold to form a hybrid scaffold. To demonstrate the feasibility of this hybrid system for BTE application, rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) were encapsulated in CSG. Pure PCL scaffolds were used as controls. Cell proliferation…

Hypertrophic scars (HS) are considered to be the greatest unmet challenge in wound and burn rehabilitation. The most common treatment for HS is pressure therapy, but pressure garments may not be able to exert adequate pressure onto HS due to the complexity of the human body. However, the development of three-dimensional (3D) scanning and direct digital manufacturing technologies has facilitated the customized placement of additively manufactured silicone gel onto fabric as a component of the pressure therapy garment. This study provides an introduction on a novel and customized fabrication approach to treat HS and discusses the mechanical properties of 3D…

Currently, the commercial building sector accounts for 18% of total U.S. end-use energy consumption, of which almost a third was from on-site combustion of fossil fuels for space and water heating. Magnetic heat pumping (MHP) technology is an energy-efficient, sustainable, environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional vapor-compression cooling technology. Several MHP designs today are predicted to be highly energy efficient, on condition that suitable working materials can be developed. This materials challenge has proven to be daunting due to issues associated with intricate synthesis/post-processing protocols and complications related to shaping the mostly brittle magnetocaloric alloys into thin-walled channeled regenerator structures to facilitate…

In recent years, tissue engineering has experienced significant advancements, mostly driven by the emergence of additive manufacturing technologies and the integration of biomaterials and cells. This advanced technique enables the creation of intricate structures with diverse components and properties, specifically designed for use in biomedical applications. The primary benefit of this technology is its ability to be customised, which helps minimise post-operative difficulties for patients with orthopaedic diseases and those undergoing tissue transplants. For this purpose, the essential components can be synthesised by the patient’s own cells. However, there are still other obstacles that need to be addressed in order…

Bioprinting consists in an innovative approach able to improve the current techniques of bioregeneration in the medical field through the extrusion of cell-loaded bioinks. Its main advantage is the customization to reduce post-operative complications on the patient, as it can be produced from his own cells. The success of bioprinting is determined by the printing parameters but, above all, by the materials. The goal of this work was to define a range of parameters, in order to achieve the highest printing stability, in terms of the quality of the Bioplotter® Silicone TG in relation to process conditions used.

Scaffolds manufacturing for tissue engineering is an elaborate process since to fabricate a functional tissue, the engineered structures have to mimic the extracellular matrix. The key goal is to produce 3D scaffolds composed of macro- and micro- scale structures. The combination of different production technologies, as 3D bioprinting (BP) and electrospinning (ES), enables the fabrication of multiscale structures but, above all, the biomaterial choice is crucial to apply these technologies. Hydrogels based of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water soluble and biodegradable polymer, are able to create a highly hydrated environment that promotes cell attachment and proliferation, with limited mechanical properties.…

In the ever-evolving landscape of bioengineering, the current research effort to push the boundaries of biomedical engineering through a multidisciplinary effort using advanced 4D fabrication techniques. This study represents a pioneering effort to create artificial constructs, such as skin, and muscles by leveraging knowledge from material science, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering and advanced manufacturing. By seamlessly integrating these domains, our approach aims to overcome the inherent complexities associated with tissue engineering. The utilisation of 4D fabrication techniques introduces a dynamic dimension to the fabrication process, allowing for the creation of tissues with intricate spatial and temporal characteristics. The central focus…