Vascularization is one major obstacle in bioprinting and tissue engineering. In order to create thick tissues or organs that can function like original body parts, the presence of a perfusable vascular system is essential. However, it is challenging to bioprint a hydrogel-based three-dimensional vasculature-like structure in a single step. In this paper, we report a new hydrogel-based composite that offers impressive printability, shape integrity, and biocompatibility for 3D bioprinting of a perfusable complex vasculature-like structure. The hydrogel composite can be used on a non-liquid platform and is printable at human body temperature. Moreover, the hydrogel composite supports both cell proliferation and cell differentiation. Our results represent a potentially new vascularization strategy for 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering.

Pneumatic extrusion-based bioprinting is a recent and interesting technology that is very useful for biomedical applications. However, many process parameters in the bioprinter need to be fully understood in order to print at an adequate resolution. In this paper, a simple yet accurate mathematical model to predict the printed width of a continuous hydrogel line is proposed, in which the resolution is expressed as a function of nozzle size, pressure, and printing speed. A thermo-responsive hydrogel, pluronic F127, is used to validate the model predictions. This model could provide a platform for future correlation studies on pneumatic extrusion-based bioprinting as well as for developing new bioink formulations.

Abstract:Bioprinting is a layer-by-layer additive fabrication technique for making three-dimensional (3D) tissue and organ constructs using biological products. The capability to fabricate 3D tubular structure in free-form or vertical configuration is the first step towards the possibility of organ printing in three dimensions. In this study, alginate-based tubular structures of varying viscosity were printed vertically using multi-nozzle extrusion-based technique. Manufacturing challenges associated with the vertical printing configurations are also discussed here. We have also proposed measurable parameters to quantify the quality of printing for systematic investigation in bioprinting. This study lays a foundation for the successful fabrication of viable 3D tubular constructs. Keywords: 3D printing, alginate, viscosity, rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing, extrusion

Fabrication techniques for cardiac tissue engineering have been evolving around scaffold-based and scaffold-free approaches. Conventional fabrication approaches lack control over scalability and homogeneous cell distribution. Bioprinting provides a technological platform for controlled deposition of biomaterials, cells, and biological factors in an organized fashion. Bioprinting is capable of alternating heterogeneous cell printing, printing anatomical relevant structure and microchannels resembling vasculature network. These are essential features of an engineered cardiac tissue. Bioprinting can potentially build engineered cardiac construct that resembles native tissue across macro to nanoscale.

Retinal degeneration causes permanent visual loss and affects millions of people worldwide.