Multivascular networks and functional intravascular topologies within biocompatible hydrogels

Abstract

Solid organs transport fluids through distinct vascular networks that are biophysically and biochemically entangled, creating complex three-dimensional (3D) transport regimes that have remained difficult to produce and study. We establish intravascular and multivascular design freedoms with photopolymerizable hydrogels by using food dye additives as biocompatible yet potent photoabsorbers for projection stereolithography. We demonstrate monolithic transparent hydrogels, produced in minutes, comprising efficient intravascular 3D fluid mixers and functional bicuspid valves. We further elaborate entangled vascular networks from space-filling mathematical topologies and explore the oxygenation and flow of human red blood cells during tidal ventilation and distension of a proximate airway. In addition, we deploy structured biodegradable hydrogel carriers in a rodent model of chronic liver injury to highlight the potential translational utility of this materials innovation.

Additive Manufacturing of Precision Biomaterials

“…While not yet applied for biomaterial fabrication, volumetric AM comprises another technology that avoids classic layer‐by‐layer processing and enables concurrent solidification of all voxels that comprise the 3D object. More recently, projection stereolithograpy was combined with safe photoabsorbers to generate highly complex vascular networks and topologies using AM, which demonstrated benefit following in vivo transplantation …”

“…Coaxial printheads have also been developed to directly print open tubular structures into bioprinted tissue constructs . An approach to develop advanced multivascular networks and functional intravascular topologies was recently introduced using projection stereolithography and specific photoabsorbers . This method enabled improved engraftment in mice of engineered hepatic tissue constructs that integrated functional vasculature.…”

Freeform, Reconfigurable Embedded Printing of All‐Aqueous 3D Architectures

“…[5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The major challenge is to transform techniques developed for resins and thermoplastics to print delicate biological materials; the aim is to impart functionalities by accurately and precisely replicating the vascularized multiscale architecture of biological tissues. [5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The major challenge is to transform techniques developed for resins and thermoplastics to print delicate biological materials; the aim is to impart functionalities by accurately and precisely replicating the vascularized multiscale architecture of biological tissues.…”

Recent Advances in Enabling Technologies in 3D Printing for Precision Medicine

“…Single microfluidic printheads for heterogenous material deposition have also been applied to digital light processing (DLP) fabrication systems, demonstrating versatility of this enabling technology . Traditionally, DLP‐based projection printing provides higher resolution compared to techniques such as extrusion fabrication, but is limited in material compatibility . Miri et al incorporated a novel microfluidic device into a DLP system for seamless switching of various hydrogel bioinks (Figure C) .…”