Meshed Scaffolds Made of Α, Α′ -Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Poly(ethylene Glycol) Through 3d Stereolithography

Abstract

Recent development of tissue engineering scaffolds that mimic anatomical structures exhibits a tendency to use rapid prototyping technology, because it can be applied to precisely manufacture the designed objects from the computer-generated model. Among all of rapid prototyping approaches, combining with lithography is characterized with a high throughput of fabrication, especially for the fabrication of polymeric scaffolds. In this study, the aims were to: (1) synthesize the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-capped poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which served as the cross-linker of the continuous phase of a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffold and (2) fabricate the composite scaffolds through stereolithography. The synthetic process of the cross-linker was traced, and the end-point of the process was found to lie in 3 to 4 h depending on the molecular weight of the PEG used. The chemical structure of the cross-linker was found to be linear and symmetric to PEG and with a 1:2 molar ratio of PEG and HEMA. It was anticipated to form an interpenetrating network upon irradiating under UV light with PLGA serving as the main body of the scaffold. PEG1000–HEMA had better biocompatibility than those with shorter PEG chains. Scaffolds with two structural variants, square and hexagonal pores, designed by computer were demonstrated. It may further combine medical images to reconstruct tissues and organs for regenerative medicine.

3D Printing Polymers with Supramolecular Functionality for Biological Applications

“…Hydrogen bonding urethane-containing groups added to PEG diol ends through reactions with diisocyanate HMDI yielded photo-cross-linkable oligomers. 92…”

“…92 Cell viability exceeded 75% for all scaffolds, with the highest viability resulting from higher molecular weight PEG oligomers. 92 Endcapping reactions of polyesters also imparted hydrogen bonding to allow successful vat photopolymerization of engineered tissue scaffolds. 132 Hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions coupled through the printing of diurethanedimethacrylate, glycerol dimethacrylate, and quaternary ammoniummodified methacrylates formed semi-interpenetrating networks.…”

“…While the vast majority of PEG utilized for additive manufacturing exists as PEG-acrylate, the primary alcohol end-groups provided a facile route to introduce supramolecular functionality. Hydrogen bonding urethane-containing groups added to PEG diol ends through reactions with diisocyanate HMDI yielded photo-cross-linkable oligomers …”

“…Bone marrow stromal cells spread in 3D to completely cover pores generated during vat photopolymerization, facilitating the creation of functional bone tissue . Chung et al reported modification of PEG with urethane moieties to induce hydrogen bonded, well-defined parts through vat photopolymerization . Cell viability exceeded 75% for all scaffolds, with the highest viability resulting from higher molecular weight PEG oligomers .…”

“…Chung et al reported modification of PEG with urethane moieties to induce hydrogen bonded, well-defined parts through vat photopolymerization . Cell viability exceeded 75% for all scaffolds, with the highest viability resulting from higher molecular weight PEG oligomers . End-capping reactions of polyesters also imparted hydrogen bonding to allow successful vat photopolymerization of engineered tissue scaffolds .…”