Motility Improvement of Biomimetic Trachea Scaffold via Hybrid 3D-Bioprinting Technology

Abstract

A trachea has a structure capable of responding to various movements such as rotation of the neck and relaxation/contraction of the conduit due to the mucous membrane and cartilage tissue. However, current reported tubular implanting structures are difficult to impelement as replacements for original trachea movements. Therefore, in this study, we developed a new trachea implant with similar anatomical structure and mechanical properties to native tissue using 3D printing technology and evaluated its performance. A 250 µm-thick layer composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers was fabricated on a rotating beam using electrospinning technology, and a scaffold with C-shaped cartilage grooves that mimics the human airway structure was printed to enable reconstruction of cartilage outside the airway. A cartilage type scaffold had a highest rotational angle (254°) among them and it showed up to 2.8 times compared to human average neck rotation angle. The cartilage type showed a maximum elongation of 8 times higher than that of the bellows type and it showed the elongation of 3 times higher than that of cylinder type. In cartilage type scaffold, gelatin hydrogel printed on the outside of the scaffold was remain 22.2% under the condition where no hydrogel was left in other type scaffolds. In addition, after 2 days of breathing test, the amount of gelatin remaining inside the scaffold was more than twice that of other scaffolds. This novel trachea scaffold with hydrogel inside and outside of the structure was well-preserved under external flow and is expected to be advantageous for soft tissue reconstruction of the trachea.

Recent Advances in Decellularized Matrix-Derived Materials for Bioink and 3D Bioprinting

“…Cartilage is a connective tissue with supporting functions and has strong toughness [ 137 ]. Simulation of cartilage surface morphology is a feasible strategy for modeling cartilage composition and mechanical strength ( Figure 3 B) [ 138 , 139 ]. Many studies have been conducted on bioink with additional dECMs for 3D bioprinting cartilage.…”

Auxetic Structures for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds and Biomedical Devices

“…They combined electrospun mats with a 3D-printed auxetic pattern to compensate for the poor cell-adhesive ability of polyurethane. Yu et al [69] proposed a biomimetic trachea graft using 3D printing. A movement angle of their graft was superior to that of the native trachea.…”

Palpation of the Respiratory System in Osteopathic Manual Medicine: From the Trachea to the Lungs

“…Generally, during inhalation, the trachea undergoes a caudal movement of about 2-3 cm (and back during exhalation), and this movement is caused by negative pulmonary pressures; moreover, it undergoes cranial traction when the craniocervical tract extends by about 2-3 cm, for myofascial relationships [ 54 ]. The trachea also undergoes a rotation and lateralization movement when the cervical tract tilts and rotates on the same side; the trachea follows the movement of the neck [ 63 ]. The movement of the main bronchi is minimal; the left bronchus (longer than the right main bronchus) moves cranially as the head rotates completely to the right, becoming in line with the trachea [ 64 ].…”