Compatibility analysis of 3D printer resin for biological applications

Abstract

The salient features of microfluidics such as reduced cost, handling small sample and reagent volumes and less time required to fabricate the devices has inspired the present work. The incompatibility of three-dimensional printer resins in their native form and the method to improve their compatibility to many biological processes via surface modification are reported. The compatibility of the material to build microfluidic devices was evaluated in three different ways: (i) determining if the ultraviolet (UV) cured resin inhibits the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), i.e. testing devices for PCR compatibility; (ii) observing agglutination complex formed on the surface of the UV cured resin when anti-C-reactive protein (CRP) antibodies and CRP proteins were allowed to agglutinate; and (iii) by culturing human embryonic kidney cell line cells and testing for its attachment and viability. It is shown that only a few among four in its native form could be used for fabrication of microchannels and that had the least effect on biological molecules that could be used for PCR and protein interactions and cells, whereas the others were used after treating the surface. Importance in building lab-on-chip/micrototal analysis systems and organ-onchip devices is found.

A Non-Cytotoxic Resin for Micro-Stereolithography for Cell Cultures of HUVECs

“…Along these lines, several research groups have looked into the biocompatibility of resins in their studies, e.g., for seeding human mesenchymal stem cells in manufactured scaffolds using a µSL system [15]. Furthermore, Folch et al used commercially available WaterShed resin coated with Matrigel to cultivate C2C12 myoblast cells on it [16], and in another example, poly-l-lysine was coated onto µSL-printed resin surfaces to improve cell attachment [17].…”

Fabrication routes via projection stereolithography for 3D-printing of microfluidic geometries for nucleic acid amplification

“…The impact of such interactions on a biological process as PCR can be detrimental in high surface-to-volume ratio (SVR) microfluidic architectures. Appropriate post-processing of photopolymer prints with increased temperature and UV light [ 51 ], organic solvents and water baths [ 52 ] has been shown in multiple studies to improve the biocompatibility of prints by reducing residuals content in photopolymer parts [ 52 , 74 ]. Reducing leaching from the interface and reactivity at the interface by further static or dynamic coating of surfaces has also been a popular solution for 3D printed devices.…”

“…Treatment is possible by exploiting the inherent surface reactivity of the prints to perform coatings with various coupling agents, endowing customised surface properties. Silane coupling agents [ 75 ] or biocompatible compounds as poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), bovine serum albumin BSA, poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [ 62 ] and poly-l-lysine [ 74 ] have been reported to improve functionality of photopolymer parts for applications such as droplet generation [ 53 , 75 ], cell and bacteria culture and nucleic acids amplification [ 62 , 74 , 76 ]. Commercial biocompatible resins have been also successfully tested in low-risk applications such as skin and internal tissue contact for hearing aids and dental applications respectively, and for short period bacterial or cell cultivation experiments [ 77 , 78 ].…”

Low Cost with Vibration Controlled Efficient Fused Deposition Modeling

“…As [10] has suggested if flexible filaments are used, it will be useful for making wearable applications. In [11], has mentioned by changing the tool head of the machine finds its application in biomedical fields for making braces, a prosthesis for humans. The system based on an open firmware called Marlin [12] that was easy to configure, so any common person can change the parameters.…”