3D Printed Silicone Meniscus Implants: Influence of the 3D Printing Process on Properties of Silicone Implants

Abstract

Osteoarthritis of the knee with meniscal pathologies is a severe meniscal pathology suffered by the aging population worldwide. However, conventional meniscal substitutes are not 3D-printable and lack the customizability of 3D printed implants and are not mechanically robust enough for human implantation. Similarly, 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds suffer from drawbacks of being mechanically weak and as a result patients are unable to execute immediate post-surgical weight-bearing ambulation and rehabilitation. To solve this problem, we have developed a 3D silicone meniscus implant which is (1) cytocompatible, (2) resistant to cyclic loading and mechanically similar to native meniscus, and (3) directly 3D printable. The main focus of this study is to determine whether the purity, composition, structure, dimensions and mechanical properties of silicone implants are affected by the use of a custom-made in-house 3D-printer. We have used the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) absorption test, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface profilometry, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to effectively assess and compare material properties between molded and 3D printed silicone samples.

3D/4D Printing of Polymers: Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and Stereolithography (SLA)

“…A variety of AM methods are available to 3D print a wide range of materials including metals [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], polymers [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ], polymer composites [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], ceramics [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ], and cement [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. The ASTM (ISO/ASTM 52900:2015) has classified the range of AM processes into seven general categories.…”

Effect of Printing Parameters on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed PLA and PETG, Using Fused Deposition Modeling

“…Due to global competition, the mass customization of products, and the long molding cycle of traditional manufacturing methods, the manufacturing industry is under more pressure to seek the advantages of new processes that can cope with small batches and rapid manufacturing. In recent years, 3D printing technology in the medical, manufacturing, and engineering fields has developed rapidly [ 1 , 2 ]. This technology is also known as Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology, which is based on incremental layer-by-layer manufacturing [ 3 ].…”

3D-bioprinting ready-to-implant anisotropic menisci recapitulate healthy meniscus phenotype and prevent secondary joint degeneration

“…Bioprinterscan deliver cells within hydrogels, biomaterials and other molecules to engineer 3D living tissue 14 - 16 . With the process optimization, upgrade of printing software, and the development of coordinated multi-nozzle printing systems, the construction of bionic tissues and organs with different structural, heterogeneous components, and diverse cell types has become possible 17 - 19 .…”