Role of Enabling Technologies in Soft Tissue Engineering: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

3-D printing processes employed in soft tissue engineering are rapidly evolving and gaining commercialization for the artificial synthesis of organs and tissues to bridge the gap of supply of organ donors and health care systems worldwide. This study intends to analyze the current use of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies viz; cloud manufacturing, internet of medical things, soft robotics, and cyber-physical system in tissue engineering from the perspective of development of soft tissue using novel biomaterials, different approaches/ techniques involving 3-D printing, benefit to society, and supply chain management (SCM). Systematic literature review is conducted on the dataset of Scopus indexed scientific literature since inception, which provides insights on critical concepts, present status, research frontiers and possible adoption challenges. This article provides managerial significance to the business managers and practitioners in terms of latest research developments, strategy formulation, opting of best business model, cause-effect relationships, and help the organizations to focus for achieving a path of circular economy, simulation, collaboration, monitoring, prediction and optimized production planning and control, stimuli-response traits and biodegradability of biomaterials, efficiency, reliability and safety of scaffolds, and faster development by way of smart manufacturing.