4-Axis printing microfibrous tubular scaffold and tracheal cartilage application

Abstract

Long-segment defects remain a major problem in clinical treatment of tubular tissue reconstruction. The design of tubular scaffold with desired structure and functional properties suitable for tubular tissue regeneration remains a great challenge in regenerative medicine. Here, we present a reliable method to rapidly fabricate tissueengineered tubular scaffold with hierarchical structure via 4axis printing system. The fabrication process can be adapted to various biomaterials including hydrogels, thermoplastic materials and thermosetting materials. Using polycaprolactone (PCL) as an example, we successfully fabricated the scaffolds with tunable tubular architecture, controllable mesh structure, radial elasticity, good flexibility, and luminal patency. As a preliminary demonstration of the applications of this technology, we prepared a hybrid tubular scaffold via the combination of the 4-axis printed elastic poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) bio-spring and electrospun gelatin nanofibers. The scaffolds seeded with chondrocytes formed tubular mature cartilage-like tissue both via in vitro culture and subcutaneous implantation in the nude mouse, which showed great potential for tracheal cartilage reconstruction.

Vortex fluidic mediated one-step fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel films with tunable surface morphologies and enhanced self-healing properties

“…The control of the surface morphology in hydrogels has a potential impact on the development of high-performance devices for biomedical applications, such as tissueengineered scaffolds and systems for drug delivery. Noting that surface morphology provides a unique way of controlling cell-biomaterial interaction and plays a major role in modulating cellular behaviour, such as cell attachment and proliferation during cell culture [46][47][48]. We found that by precisely varying the rotation speed of the VFD tube, PVA hydrogel films with different surface morphologies were readily fabricated.…”

Poly(Glycerol Sebacate) in Biomedical Applications—A Review of the Recent Literature

“…In a further innovative approach, Lei et al. [ 138 ] developed a four‐axis printer that applies the print strands to a rotating collector. This enabled the successful printing of hydrogels, thermoplastics, and thermosets.…”

“…In this way, tubular structures would be produced relatively easily, e.g., for tracheal cartilage applications. [ 138 ]…”

“…Decreased apoptosis and infarction size demonstrated its therapeutic suitability and versatile applicability of these novel 3D printed, cardiac patches. [37] In a further innovative approach, Lei et al [138] developed a fouraxis printer that applies the print strands to a rotating collector. This enabled the successful printing of hydrogels, thermoplastics, and thermosets.…”

A Review: Optimization for Poly(glycerol sebacate) and Fabrication Techniques for Its Centered Scaffolds

“…Notably, the hybrid scaffold could support chondrocyte proliferation and the cartilage generation after seeding cells. [ 179 ] Nowadays, a renewable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) devices which has the ability to generate electricity when subjected to the condition of friction were newly designed and fabricated utilizing the versatile 3D‐printing technologies by Chen et al. [ 180 ] In the gelatinous inks, the CNTs not only served as reinforce fillers to retain the 3D‐printed shape, but also embodied conductive function.…”