3D Bioplotter Research Papers

Using 3D printing to manufacture shape memory polymers (SMPs) becomes popular, since the technique endows SMPs the ability to shape into desired structures according to their applications. Among various types of SMPs, epoxy-based shape memory polymer and their composites are known for their high modulus and strength. However, limited by their rheological behavior, it is still hard to prepare high-quality printable epoxy materials. Here, by carefully tuning of rheological properties, we can prepare printable ink showing good shape retention, excellent mechanical performances below and above the glass transition temperature of epoxy, as well as good shape memory effect. The prepared…

Bone tissue plays an important role in supporting and protecting the structure and function of the human body. Bone defects are a common source of injury and there are many reconstruction challenges in clinical practice. However, 3D bioprinting of scaffolds provides a promising solution. Hydrogels have emerged as biomaterials with good biocompatibility and are now widely used as cell-loaded materials for bioprinting. This study involved three steps: First, sodium alginate (SA), gelatin (Gel), and nano-hydroxyapatite (na-HA) were mixed into a hydrogel and its rheological properties assessed to identify the optimum slurry for printing. Second, SA/Gel/na-HA bioscaffolds were printed using 3D…

With the increasing applications of 3D printing technology in biomedical field, the composition or additives of the related materials has become critical for the next development. In the current study, we have prepared 3D printed polycaprolactone-hydroxyapatite (PCL-HA) porous scaffolds with loaded heparan sulfate (HS), in order to reveal the reparative effect of different concentrations of HS on the healing of bone defects. As a result, the scaffold itself showed sound compression resistance, air porosity and good biocompatibility. From both in vitro and in vivo experiments, the scaffold with low concentration of HS led to positive effects in promoting osteoblast maturation…

Vascularization is a crucial process during the growth and development of bone 1, yet it remains one of the main challenges in the reconstruction of large bone defects. The use of in vitro coculture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) has been one of the most explored options. Both cell types secrete specific growth factors that are mutually beneficial, and studies suggested that cell-cell communication and paracrine secretion could be affected by a number of factors. However, little is known about the effect of cell patterning and the distance between cell populations on…