3D Printing of Artificial Blood Vessel: Study on Multi-Parameter Optimization Design for Vascular Molding Effect in Alginate and Gelatin

Abstract

3D printing has emerged as one of the modern tissue engineering techniques that could potentially form scaffolds (with or without cells), which is useful in treating cardiovascular diseases. This technology has attracted extensive attention due to its possibility of curing disease in tissue engineering and organ regeneration. In this paper, we have developed a novel rotary forming device, prepared an alginate–gelatin solution for the fabrication of vessel-like structures, and further proposed a theoretical model to analyze the parameters of motion synchronization. Using this rotary forming device, we firstly establish a theoretical model to analyze the thickness under the different nozzle extrusion speeds, nozzle speeds, and servo motor speeds. Secondly, the experiments with alginate–gelatin solution are carried out to construct the vessel-like structures under all sorts of conditions. The experiment results show that the thickness cannot be adequately predicted by the theoretical model and the thickness can be controlled by changing the parameters. Finally, the optimized parameters of thickness have been adjusted to estimate the real thickness in 3D printing.

Simulation Analysis of the Influence of Nozzle Structure Parameters on Material Controllability

“… Optimized nozzle structure of 3D bioprinter. 1—Quick-connect ( a ), 2—Quick-connect ( b ), 3—Cone holder, 4—Nozzle body, 5—Set Nut, 6—pinhead, 7—Sealing screw, and 8—Capillary [ 26 , 27 ]. …”

“…Therefore, three-dimensional axisymmetric flow-focusing was applied by GAO Q. et al [ 25 ] to fabricate vessel-like structures, which proved that flow-focusing method can improve the cell survival rate. Meanwhile, Liu, H. et al [ 26 , 27 ] have adopted the flow-focusing method to obtain vessel-like structures and analyzed the synchronization among nozzle extrusion, nozzle speed, and rotating speed based on an extrusion-based 3D bioprinter, which could improve the modeling effect in this forming method. As mentioned before, it can be seen that the flow-focusing method can achieve better formation of tissue and organ structure.…”

How to design and construct a 3D-printed human head phantom

“…Phantoms have become increasingly capable of modeling not only the structural characteristics of human anatomy but also the functional attributes. Many phantoms are trending toward having functional attributes and various studies have begun to develop functional phantoms [34][35][36][37][38] with vascular anatomy.…”

3D Printing Artificial Blood Vessel Constructs Using PCL/Chitosan/Hydrogel Biocomposites

“…Several studies have been published by making use of 3D printing systems, which are inkjet‐based, micro‐extrusion and laser‐assisted printing. In these systems, the physical properties of the materials can be challenging for optimizing the structure of the constructs . In this study, to overcome any effects caused by the physical properties of the solutions, the solid form of the mixture was employed and all samples were carefully melted by using a novel 3D printing device.…”