A laser-cutting-based manufacturing process for the generation of three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering using Polycaprolactone/Hydroxyapatite composite polymer

Abstract

A manufacturing process for sheet-based stacked scaffolds (SSCs) based on laser-cutting (LC) was developed. The sheets consist of Polycaprolactone/Hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) composite material. Single sheets were cut from a PCL/HA foil and stacked to scaffolds with interconnecting pores of defined sizes. HA quantities up to 50% were processable with high reproducibility, while the accuracy was dependent on the applied laser power. The smallest achievable pore sizes were about 40 µm, while the smallest stable solid structures were about 125 µm. The human mesenchymal stem cell line SCP-1 was cultured on the manufactured PCL/HA scaffolds. The cells developed a natural morphology and were able to differentiate to functional osteoblasts. The generation of PCL/HA SSCs via LC offers new possibilities for tissue engineering (TE) approaches. It is reliable and fast, with high resolution. The SSC approach allows for facile cell seeding and analysis of cell fate within the three-dimensional cell culture, thus allowing for the generation of functional tissue constructs.

3D Printed Bioceramic Scaffolds as a Universal Therapeutic Platform for Synergistic Therapy of Osteosarcoma

“…The scaffolds could release the DOX drug to kill the remaining osteosarcoma cells. Considering that the bone is composed of ceramics/polymer, our designed ceramic/polymer scaffolds may have great potential in bone tissue engineering. , …”

Biomaterials for bone regeneration: an orthopedic and dentistry overview

“…Recently, the development of three-dimensional scaffolds based on laser-cutting manufacturing process has been proposed ( 7 ). This technique consists of the generation of sheet-based scaffolds in which single sheets are manufactured and cut by a high precision laser that uses templates generated by computer-aided design (CAD).…”

“…Natural and synthetic polymers are used to fabricate the nanofiber structure, creating a three-dimensional environment that could be beneficial for cell attachment and proliferation. However, with the electrospinning technique, small pores are formed, and the porogen technique is not an option for larger structures as porogens need to be totally removed ( 7 ).…”

Recent advances in natural polymer-based hydroxyapatite scaffolds: Properties and applications

“…In order to overcome these issues, the scaffolds are stabilized by crosslinking the individual molecules among themselves. On degradation, the unreacted cross-linkers may become toxic to the growing cells, and hence the synthesis of scaffolds either by physical crosslinking techniques or crosslinker free scaffolds has received much attention [73,74].…”