Abstract
Extrusion-based bioprinting of hydrogel scaffolds is challenging due to printing-related issues, such as the lack of capability to precisely print or deposit hydrogels onto three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds as designed. Printability is an index to measure the difference between the designed and fabricated scaffold in the printing process, which, however, is still under-explored. While studies have been reported on printing hydrogel scaffolds from one or more hydrogels, there is limited knowledge on the printability of hydrogels and their printing processes. This paper presented our study on the printability of 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds, with a focus on identifying the influence of hydrogel composition and printing parameters/conditions on printability. Using the hydrogels synthesized from pure alginate or alginate with gelatin and methyl-cellulose, we examined their flow behavior and mechanical properties, as well as their influence on printability. To characterize the printability, we examined the pore size, strand diameter, and other dimensions of the printed scaffolds. We then evaluated the printability in terms of pore/strand/angular/printability and irregularity. Our results revealed that the printability could be affected by a number of factors and among them, the most important were those related to the hydrogel composition and printing parameters. This study also presented a framework to evaluate alginate hydrogel printability in a systematic manner, which can be adopted and used in the studies of other hydrogels for bioprinting.
Highlights
Extrusion-based bioprinting is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique used for various tissue engineering applications (Figure 1) [1]
This study aims to present a clear picture of printability, to identify factors that can affect it, and to propose methods to measure 3D printability of hydrogel scaffolds with an alginate matrix
All samples samples in in this this study study were were incubated in PBS
Summary
Extrusion-based bioprinting is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique used for various tissue engineering applications (Figure 1) [1]. Many studies have been carried out to create hydrogel scaffolds using this technique [2,3]. Computer-aided design (CAD) is used to deposit biomaterials [4]. Scaffolds are rarely fabricated exactly according to the CAD model. That is why the printability index is important as an element showing the difference between the scaffold design (typically in a CAD model) and the printed scaffold. Three dimensional (3D) printability of a hydrogel biomaterial is defined as the ability of a hydrogel to form and maintain a reproducible 3D structure with dimensional integrity. The range of accuracy for extrusion-based machines is in the order of a micron, there is still a challenge when it comes to shaping the fidelity and printability of scaffolds bio-fabricated using the extrusion-based technique
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
