Evaluating 3D‐Printed Biomaterials as Scaffolds for Vascularized Bone Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The recent proliferation of three dimensional (3D) printing technologies has allowed the exploration of increasing complex designs, and, furthermore, the consideration of 3D printed constructs for biological applications. However, there is an unmet need for a consistent set of tools for the design and evaluation of these biological 3D printed constructs, particularly as they relate to engineered tissues. For example, identifying the most advantageous construct parameters for the rapid vascularization of an engineered tissue - a critical parameter in regenerative medicine - is difficult without a common group of measures. We demonstrate here a toolbox to design, characterize, and evaluate 3D printed scaffolds for vascularized tissue regenerative medicine. Our toolbox (1) identifies the range of design specifications using a modular design, (2) nondestructively compares the 3D printed scaffolds to the design, (3) evaluates biocompatibility and mechanical properties, and (4) predicts host vessel integration. As a case study, we designed, fabricated, and evaluated polymer scaffolds using a poly(propylene fumarate) based resin. Our work highlights the potential for these tools to be combined as a consistent methodology for the evaluation of porous 3D printed constructs for regenerative medicine.

Evaluating Changes in Structure and Cytotoxicity DuringIn VitroDegradation of Three-Dimensional Printed Scaffolds

“…18,19 Our previous work identifies a set of tools to evaluate 3D printed scaffolds for use as basis for vascularized musculoskeletal tissues; however, we identified that there is a lack of standards that can provide the methodology to evaluate the long-term degradation of absorbable polymers scaffolds. 20 In this work, our motivation was to investigate novel methodology to determine which 3D-printed porous scaffold design would provide long-term mechanical stability during degradation. This long-term mechanical stability would allow for the scaffold to function as a delivery vehicle for a bioactive material that is loaded into the lumen of the porous-walled scaffold.…”

Nano-biphasic calcium phosphate/polyvinyl alcohol composites with enhanced bioactivity for bone repair via low-temperature three-dimensional printing and loading with platelet-rich fibrin

“…The typical medical applications of 3D printing include preoperative planning and simulation, sharing detailed surgical information before surgery with patients, and the development of individualized implants and prostheses. 9,10 Unquestionably, 3D printing represents a major opportunity for regenerative medicine 11 and has been applied in attempts to address the demand for tissue engineered scaffolds, artificial tissues, and even organs suitable for transplantation. 5 3D printing is a broad concept that can be classified as additive manufacturing.…”

Biologically Inspired Smart Release System Based on 3D Bioprinted Perfused Scaffold for Vascularized Tissue Regeneration

“…All the deficiencies significantly decrease nutrient transportation, cell migration and survival 6. Compared with traditional manufacturing technology, 3D bioprinting can provide the ability to construct multiple hierarchical and multi‐scale bone‐like scaffolds with controlled macro shape, porosity and microstructure, thus allowing for patient‐specific fabrication and customized clinical application 7, 8. 3D bioprinting with fused deposition modeling (FDM) has been one of most effective way to make macro‐scale bone implants with high mechanical strength which also contain microstructures with controllable features.…”