Organ Printing Research Articles

Patterning of tissue spheroids biofabricated from human fibroblasts on the surface of electrospun polyurethane matrix using 3D bioprinter

Organ printing is a computer-aided additive biofabrication of functional three-dimensional human tissue and organ constructs according to digital model using the tissue spheroids as building blocks. The fundamental biological principle of organ printing technology is a phenomenon of tissue fusion. Closely placed tissue spheroids undergo tissue fusion driven by surface tension forces. In order to ensure tissue fusion in the course of post-printing, tissue spheroids must be placed and maintained close to each other. We report here that tissue spheroids biofabricated from primary human fibroblasts could be placed and maintained on the surface of biocompatible electrospun polyurethane matrix using 3D bioprinter according to desirable pattern. The patterned tissue spheroids attach to polyurethane matrix during several hours and became completely spread during several days. Tissue constructions biofabricated by spreading of patterned tissue spheroids on the biocompatible electrospun polyurethane matrix is a novel technological platform for 3D bioprinting of human tissue and organs.

Omnidirectional elastic constraint-based embedded 3D printing in non-yield stress fluids for engineering complex tissues

Embedded 3D printing, relying on yield-stress fluid-based supporting baths, has significantly expanded our ability to create complex tissues and organs. However, many extracellular matrix-based hydrogels, despite their excellent biological performance, such as gelatin and hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, lack yield-stress properties, limiting their use in embedded 3D printing and hindering functional maturation of complex tissue constructs. To address this challenge, we present a method for embedded printing in non-yield stress fluids using sequential printing in a reversible ink template (SPIRIT) strategy. By leveraging an omnidirectional elastic constraint provided by conventional supporting baths, we can precisely fabricate GelMA and HAMA hydrogels into functional tissue constructs with both intricate external structures and internal vessel systems, which cannot be achieved with extant embedded printing techniques. As a proof of concept, we successfully printed a complex ventricle model with high cell density and internal channels using GelMA hydrogel, which demonstrated high cell viability and synchronous beating performance. The omnidirectional elastic constraint-based SPIRIT technique holds promise for advancing organ printing with remarkable structural complexities and biomaterials affinity akin to natural tissue constructs by decoupling from yield-stress fluids.

Three-Dimensional Bioprinting: The Ultimate Pinnacle of Tissue Engineering.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a revolutionary additive manufacturing technology that can potentially enable life-changing medical treatments in regenerative medicine. It applies the principles of tissue engineering for the printing of tissues and organs in a layer-by-layer manner. This review focuses on the various 3D bioprinting technologies currently available, the different biomaterials, cells, and growth factors that can be utilized to develop tissue-specific bioinks, the different venues for applying these technologies, and the challenges this technology faces.

Bionics in Medicine: The Future of Organ Replacement

This article delves into the transformative role of bionics in medicine, particularly in the realm of organ replacement. As the demand for organ transplants significantly outweighs supply, bionic technology presents a revolutionary solution. Beginning with a historical overview, the article traces the evolution of bionics from basic prosthetics to sophisticated artificial organs. It then explores the current state of bionic organ replacement, highlighting existing technologies like artificial hearts and synthetic pancreases, and emphasizes their technological underpinnings, including advanced materials, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The discussion also addresses the significant challenges and limitations faced in this field, such as biocompatibility, ethical considerations, and long-term sustainability. Looking forward, the article forecasts future advancements, including biohybrid organs and 3D organ printing, and contemplates their implications for human health and longevity. Ethical and social considerations are also examined, providing a holistic view of the impact of bionic organs in medicine. Concluding on an optimistic note, the article underscores the importance of continued research and innovation in bionics, envisaging a future where organ scarcity is no longer a barrier to saving lives.

Progress in adoptable materials in 3D bioprinting technology for organ and tissue regenerative engineering

Bioprinting is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary field of research where design engineering, materials science, precision of automation engineering, and biology are integrated with biological systems for a medical purpose. Through multidisciplinary research, devoted efforts in this sector have advanced this technology to newer frontiers, giving many fresh materials and approaches to reproduce the complex microenvironment required by cells to promote their growth, migration, and differentiation. This article articulates the process of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting by providing a breakdown of all the processes involved, with a prognosis of a positive future for this technology. In this review article, brief insights into different types of 3D printing technologies have been provided, along with the limitations and advantages they confer. A comparative rundown on the available bio-inks and their ideal usage in the various 3D printing modules is highlighted. Finally, the futuristic concept of integrated organ printing (IOP), together with the view of futuristic technology of four-dimensional (4D) technology, is explained with its recent advances and the current hurdles that need to be overcome to see the full glory of the novel technology of bioprinting.

Multiscale embedded printing of engineered human tissue and organ equivalents

Creating tissue and organ equivalents with intricate architectures and multiscale functional feature sizes is the first step toward the reconstruction of transplantable human tissues and organs. Existing embedded ink writing approaches are limited by achievable feature sizes ranging from hundreds of microns to tens of millimeters, which hinders their ability to accurately duplicate structures found in various human tissues and organs. In this study, a multiscale embedded printing (MSEP) strategy is developed, in which a stimuli-responsive yield-stress fluid is applied to facilitate the printing process. A dynamic layer height control method is developed to print the cornea with a smooth surface on the order of microns, which can effectively overcome the layered morphology in conventional extrusion-based three-dimensional bioprinting methods. Since the support bath is sensitive to temperature change, it can be easily removed after printing by tuning the ambient temperature, which facilitates the fabrication of human eyeballs with optic nerves and aortic heart valves with overhanging leaflets on the order of a few millimeters. The thermosensitivity of the support bath also enables the reconstruction of the full-scale human heart on the order of tens of centimeters by on-demand adding support bath materials during printing. The proposed MSEP demonstrates broader printable functional feature sizes ranging from microns to centimeters, providing a viable and reliable technical solution for tissue and organ printing in the future.

The New Era of Tissue Engineering - 3D Printing of Organs and Tissue Constructs

The New Era of Tissue Engineering - 3D Printing of Organs and Tissue Constructs

Three-dimensional Printing, Bioink, Organ Printing, and Tissue Engineering Technologies, and Their Application in Modern Anatomical Pedagogy

Abstract In the evolving landscape of anatomy education, this review highlights the game changing advancements and their educational implications, focusing on the integration of three-dimensional (3D) printing, bioinks, organ printing, and tissue engineering technologies. While traditional teaching methodologies offer basic foundational knowledge, there are recognized gaps, particularly in providing a dynamic understanding of the human anatomy. 3D printing technologies, including digital anatomical printing and polyjet, emerge as crucial tools for bridging this gap and allowing the creation of customized and detailed anatomical models that facilitate a deeper understanding of the subject. Bioinks play a vital role in developing interactive tissue models, enhancing students’ engagement with living tissues and providing insight into cellular functions and physiological processes. The review also explores organ printing and contribution of tissue engineering in offering detailed organ replicas and biological substitutes enhancing students’ interaction and understanding of anatomy further. These innovations significantly influence modern anatomical pedagogy by fostering interactive learning, providing personalized educational tools and preparing students effectively for their future careers in healthcare. This comprehensive review aims not only to explore these technologies but also to anticipate the future of anatomical education, offering a vision where learning is as intricate and dynamic as the anatomy it elucidates.

Perspectives on Scaffold Designs with Roles in Liver Cell Asymmetry and Medical and Industrial Applications by Using a New Type of Specialized 3D Bioprinter.

Cellular asymmetry is an important element of efficiency in the compartmentalization of intracellular chemical reactions that ensure efficient tissue function. Improving the current 3D printing methods by using cellular asymmetry is essential in producing complex tissues and organs such as the liver. The use of cell spots containing at least two cells and basement membrane-like bio support materials allows cells to be tethered at two points on the basement membrane and with another cell in order to maintain cell asymmetry. Our model is a new type of 3D bioprinter that uses oriented multicellular complexes with cellular asymmetry. This novel approach is necessary to replace the sequential and slow processes of organogenesis with rapid methods of growth and 3D organ printing. The use of the extracellular matrix in the process of bioprinting with cells allows one to preserve the cellular asymmetry in the 3D printing process and thus preserve the compartmentalization of biological processes and metabolic efficiency.

3D Printing of Organs and Tissue Constructs

3D Printing of Organs and Tissue Constructs

New Insights into the Applications of 3D-Printed Biomaterial in Wound Healing and Prosthesis.

Recently three-dimensional bioprinting (3D-bioP) has emerged as a revolutionary technique for numerous biomedical applications. 3D-bioP has facilitated the printing of advanced and complex human organs resulting in satisfactory therapeutic practice. One of the important biomedical applications of 3D-bioP is in tissue engineering, wound healing, and prosthetics. 3D-bioP is basically aimed to restore the natural extracellular matrix of human's damage due to wounds. The relevant search was explored using various scientific database, viz., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. The objective of this review is to emphasize interpretations from the pre-executed studies and to assess the worth of employing 3D-bioP in wound healing as well as prosthetics in terms of patient compliance, clinical outcomes, and economic viability. Furthermore, the benefits of applying 3D-bioP in wound healing over traditional methods have been covered along with the biocompatible biomaterials employed as bioinks has been discussion. Additionally, the review expands about the clinical trials in 3D-bioP field, showing promise of biomedical applicability of this technique with growing advancement in recent years.

Expanding Embedded 3D Bioprinting Capability for Engineering Complex Organs with Freeform Vascular Networks (Adv. Mater. 22/2023)

Complex Organ Printing In article number 2205082, Zhuo Xiong and co-workers report a generalizable bioprinting strategy of sequential printing in a reversible ink template (SPIRIT) to replicate the complex external geometry of organs and their internal intricate structures simultaneously. The SPIRIT strategy can be exploited to achieve the fast printing of complex organs on demand with desired functionalities.

Bioprinting: The Future of Maxillofacial Prosthetic Rehabilitation

Abstract Bioprinting is an additive printing process in which the bio-ink containing the extracellular matrix-like material with stem cells and active biomolecules is deposited in a precise location with the help of a computer-aided design (CAD) system. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a developing technology that is derived from the evolution of 3D printing. The ability to print biological tissues like traditional 3D plastic and metal printing has resulted in the birth of a new era of 3D printing and tissue engineering. It was originally defined as ‘organ printing’, and this process involves a CAD model, which aids in converting and designing the maxillofacial prostheses, and then, it is fabricated through printing by deposition of cells, biomaterials and biomolecules. Murphy and Atala described 3D bioprinting as ‘layer-by-layer precise positioning of biological materials, biochemicals and living cells, with spatial control of the location of functional components to fabricate 3D structures’. 3D bioprinting covers a broad range of bioprinting techniques that can be used to print tissue and organ models to help research drugs and potential treatments. The future is created in the present; bioprinting and its applications will change the outlook of dentistry. This article has illustrated the concepts, materials used, techniques, limitations and prospects of bioprinting, which helps in the fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses.

2023 TERMIS – AMERICAS Conference & Exhibition Boston Marriott Copley Place April 11–14, 2023

2023 TERMIS – AMERICAS Conference & Exhibition Boston Marriott Copley Place April 11–14, 2023

Out of Box Thinking to Tangible Science: A Benchmark History of 3D Bio-Printing in Regenerative Medicine and Tissues Engineering.

Advancements and developments in the 3D bioprinting have been promising and have met the needs of organ transplantation. Current improvements in tissue engineering constructs have enhanced their applications in regenerative medicines and other medical fields. The synergistic effects of 3D bioprinting have brought technologies such as tissue engineering, microfluidics, integrated tissue organ printing, in vivo bioprinted tissue implants, artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches together. These have greatly impacted interventions in medical fields, such as medical implants, multi-organ-on-chip models, prosthetics, drug testing tissue constructs and much more. This technological leap has offered promising personalized solutions for patients with chronic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, and who have been in severe accidents. This review discussed the various standing printing methods, such as inkjet, extrusion, laser-assisted, digital light processing, and stereolithographic 3D bioprinter models, adopted for tissue constructs. Additionally, the properties of natural, synthetic, cell-laden, dECM-based, short peptides, nanocomposite and bioactive bioinks are briefly discussed. Sequels of several tissue-laden constructs such as skin, bone and cartilage, liver, kidney, smooth muscles, cardiac and neural tissues are briefly analyzed. Challenges, future perspectives and the impact of microfluidics in resolving the limitations in the field, along with 3D bioprinting, are discussed. Certainly, a technology gap still exists in the scaling up, industrialization and commercialization of this technology for the benefit of stakeholders.

Background Causes for Criminal Liability for Bioprinting

Bioprinting is one of the newest scientific developments in the NBICS convergence (convergence of nano-, bio-, information and cognitive technologies), which is a global phenomenon on a global scale. Research in the field of 3D tissue and organ printing is of a complex interdisciplinary nature, and is projected onto the biomedical landscape of organ transplantation issues. The paper deals with the legal issues of bioprinting as a technology in the field of biomedicine amid innovative activities in the healthcare system. The stages of bioprinting (preprocessing, processing, postprocessing) successively pass into each other, forming a trace complex of unresolved legal issues. There is a new phenomenon of objective reality, expressed in actions aimed at creating a new biogenetic product, while no norm of the current positive legislation can describe the process of creating and applying a reprint organ (biomaterial). The need to develop and systematize Russian legislation on the use of the results of innovative technologies in healthcare is justified taking into account the high criminal risk of harm to the human embryo. The paper identifies two groups of criminogenic threats depending on the use of biosafety and bioinsecure technologies in the field of bioprinting. The current criminal legislation makes it possible to classify criminal acts in the field of 3D technologies using the general bodies of crimes in the Special part of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. However, the mechanisms of criminal legal protection need to be improved by developing special norms that block harm to biogenetic human rights. Since the common element in all crimes related to bioprinting technologies is the object of the crime, it is necessary to determine that the moment when criminal legal protection of human life begins is from the moment of fertilization of an egg by artificial or natural means. It is important to use the general term «human embryo», which includes all stages of embryonic and fetal development.

Formation of high-viscosity micro-droplets in T-channels with neck structure induced by surface acoustic waves

In the fields of organ printing and drug preparation, high-precision and stable dispersion of high-viscosity biomaterials enable precise control of organ morphology and drug release rate. This paper proposes the use of an acoustic surface wave to overcome the problem of unstable interface breakup and weak size controllability when the traditional passive droplet microfluidics is applied to high-viscosity (higher than 0.4 Pa·s) dispersed phases. This paper studies the internal flow behavior of high-viscosity fluid under the influence of an acoustic field and realizes the accurate prediction of formation regime and droplet size. Experimental results show that with the increase in acoustic power, three unique droplet generation regimes (e.g., long jetting, transition, and dripping) exist. The transition regime is most suitable for high-throughput preparation of high-viscosity droplets, and its corresponding flow and acoustic conditions can be predicted by equation μd/μc = 4.8 × 10−8 (μc × vc/AP02 × w)−3.32. Affected by the regime transition, the droplet size increases with the increase in acoustic power. The droplet size prediction can be realized based on the capillary number Caf, which represents the intensity of the acoustic field.

A Need of Shariah Compliant Model of 3D Bioprinting

One of the credible inventions is 3D Bioprinting or organ printing which uses layer by layer fabrication manner and is an emerging and developing technology offered by the research industry and can help the humanity in certain areas of life e.g., health, food, etc. The technology has been found beneficial in wide spectrum within the medical industry in fighting the shortage of organ and tissues donations. It is also helpful for the pharmaceuticals for determining effectiveness of new drugs and the food industry players to develop new type of edible meat for humans’ consumption. However, behind all these benefits, there are unresolved issues that need be discussed critically and addressed properly within the ethics, law and orders of Islamic worldview. This study aims to indentify the Sharī‘ah related issues raised consequent upon the invention of 3D bioprinting. The study uses data collection from scholars’ writings, academic journals, and Islamic fatwa related to bioethics. The data are analysed thematically. The results show that there is a loophole in bioethics research on Sharī‘ah compliant guidelines for the Muslims users with regards to bioprinting usage. It is suggested for the experts to do thorough research on Sharī‘ah compliant guidelines of bioprinting to be the benchmark guideline for authorities such as JAKIM in Malaysia and other authorities such as the Ministry of Health in treating the Muslim patients.
 Keywords:3D Bioprinting, Ethical and Legal Issues, Organ Printing, Sharī ‘ah Compliance.

Tissues and organ printing: An evolution of technology and materials.

Since its beginnings, three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology has been successful because of ongoing advances in operating principles, the range of materials and cost-saving measures. However, the 3DP technological progressions in the biomedical sector have majorly taken place in the last decade after the evolution of novel 3DP systems, generally categorised as bioprinters and biomaterials to provide a replacement, transplantation or regeneration of the damaged organs and tissue constructs of the human body. There is now substantial scientific literature accessible to support the benefits of digital healthcare procedures with the help of bioprinters. It is of the highest significance to know the fundamental principles of the available printers and the compatibility of biomaterials as their feedstock, notwithstanding the huge potential of bioprinting systems to manufacture organs and other human body components. This paper provides a precise and helpful reading of the different categories of bioprinters, suitable biomaterials, numerical simulations and modelling and examples of much acknowledged clinical practices. The paper will also cite the prominent issues that still have not received desired solutions. Overall, the article will be of great use for all the professionals, scholars and engineers concerned with the 3DP, bioprinting and biomaterials.

A Multifunctional 3D Bioprinting System for Construction of Complex Tissue Structure Scaffolds: Design and Application.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers a potentially powerful new approach to reverse engineering human pathophysiology to address the problem of developing more biomimetic experimental systems. Human tissues and organs are multiscale and multi-material structures. The greatest challenge for organ printing is the complexity of the structural elements, from the shape of the macroscopic structure to the details of the nanostructure. A highly bionic tissue-organ model requires the use of multiple printing processes. Some printers with multiple nozzles and multiple processes are currently reported. However, the bulk volume, which is inconvenient to move, and the high cost of these printing systems limits the expansion of their applications. Scientists urgently need a multifunctional miniaturized 3D bioprinter. In this study, a portable multifunctional 3D bioprinting system was built based on a modular design and a custom written operating application. Using this platform, constructs with detailed surface structures, hollow structures, and multiscale complex tissue analogs were successfully printed using commercial polymers and a series of hydrogel-based inks. With further development, this portable, modular, low-cost, and easy-to-use Bluetooth-enabled 3D printer promises exciting opportunities for resource-constrained application scenarios, not only in biomedical engineering but also in the education field, and may be used in space experiments.