Design and Structure–Function Characterization of 3D Printed Synthetic Porous Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

3D printing is now adopted for use in a variety of industries and functions. In biomedical engineering, 3D printing has prevailed over more traditional manufacturing methods in tissue engineering due to its high degree of control over both macro- and microarchitecture of porous tissue scaffolds. However, with the improved flexibility in design come new challenges in characterizing the structure-function relationships between various architectures and both mechanical and biological properties in an assortment of clinical applications. Presently, the field of tissue engineering lacks a comprehensive body of literature that is capable of drawing meaningful relationships between the designed structure and resulting function of 3D printed porous biomaterial scaffolds. This work first discusses the role of design on 3D printed porous scaffold function and then reviews characterization of these structure-function relationships for 3D printed synthetic metallic, polymeric, and ceramic biomaterials.

Innovative Composites Based on Organic Modified Zirconium Phosphate and PEOT/PBT Copolymer

“…In both composites, with 10 and 20 wt % of ZrP-GTM, respectively, the growth of the bacteria is inhibited; in fact, near the wire areas, no colonies are detected confirming the biocidal activity of the composites. Since PEOT/PBT is a bioresorbable polymer [22,23], it is expected that the polymer will slowly dissolve/degrade in the biological medium freeing up the ZrP-GTM included in the composite material. The biocidal activity can be attributed to the ability of ZrP-GTM to slowly release the gentamicin [21], which possesses a well-known antibiotic activity [37].…”

“…The thermoplastic elastomeric properties of these multi-block copolymers are obtained by phase separation of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments in the polymers; this makes this block of copolymers highly interesting for the 3D printing manufacturing [22,23]. The polymer has a relatively low melting viscosity, while after cooling it exhibits very good mechanical properties.…”

Bone Defect Model Dependent Optimal Pore Sizes of 3D‐Plotted Beta‐Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration

“…3D interconnected porous structure of an artificial material is crucial for bone regeneration . Mechanical and physical properties as well as biological behaviors of a scaffold can be altered as a result of a subtle difference in porous structure . Controlling and optimizing pore features (architecture, size, connectivity, porosity) of a bone scaffold has always been expected to effectively optimize a function .…”

Superhydrophobic Porous PLLA Sponges with Hierarchical Micro‐/Nano‐Structures for High‐Efficiency Self‐Cleaning

“…These methods have been comprehensively exploited and used in the scientific community due to their own unique advantages . However, the design of hierarchical PLLA surfaces still remains a great challenge and some unavoidable problems are elusive, including the preparation efficiency of PLLA porous materials, the connectivity of PLLA frames and pores, etc . Therefore, the preparation of porous PLLA surfaces is a worthy topic in order to find out the effective molding technology of porous PLLA sponges and explore the internal morphology and surface properties of porous materials …”

“…[26,27] However, the design of hierarchical PLLA surfaces still remains a great challenge and some unavoidable problems are elusive, including the preparation efficiency of PLLA porous materials, the connectivity of PLLA frames and pores, etc. [28][29][30][31][32][33] Therefore, the preparation of porous PLLA surfaces is a worthy topic in order to find out the effective molding technology of porous PLLA sponges and explore the internal morphology and surface properties of porous materials. [34][35][36] In comparison to the current efforts in designing new hydrophobic materials and preparation methods, the influence of the interaction between polymers and solvents on micro/nano-structures has been rarely investigated.…”