Drop-on-demand printing of cells and materials for designer tissue constructs

Recent Cell Printing Systems for Tissue Engineering

“…The submerged-in-crosslinker cell printing process, referred to as drop-on-demand printing, has been applied to the inkjet [39,40] , laser-assisted [41] , and extrusion-based [42,43] cell printing processes to build 3D structures with relatively low-viscosity bioinks. Xu et al [39] and Boland et al [40] built the drop-on-demand printing apparatus shown in , which uses a layer-by-layer-sinking plate in the crosslinker-filled chamber, and the alginate-based bioink was printed on the surface of the crosslinking liquid.…”

“…Xu et al [39] and Boland et al [40] built the drop-on-demand printing apparatus shown in , which uses a layer-by-layer-sinking plate in the crosslinker-filled chamber, and the alginate-based bioink was printed on the surface of the crosslinking liquid. Through their modified method, they overcame one of the limitations of the inkjet printing process, the low 3D printability, and fabricated a 3D structure with a height of approximately 12 mm [40] . In 2015, Xiong et al [41] Figure 2.…”

Development of a Cell Depositing System using Inkjet Technology

“…Despite the reduced likelihood for adhesion, various cells have been shown to successfully bind to and function on alginate scaffolds. For example, endothelial cells have successfully attached to custom alginate scaffolds without the need for any additional chemical or surface modifications [7]. In another study, rat hepatocytes seeded onto alginate sponges were able to secrete albumin, which demonstrates the seeded cells were functioning in the in-vitro scaffold [18].…”

“…In another study, rat hepatocytes seeded onto alginate sponges were able to secrete albumin, which demonstrates the seeded cells were functioning in the in-vitro scaffold [18]. More relevant to the scope of this project, alginate was used with a printer to rapid prototype a scaffold [7]. Rather than dispense the alginate, however, Boland et al dispensed the cross-linker onto a pool of alginate.…”

“…This technique was also adopted by Roth et al to print smooth muscle cells onto a coated, glass coverslip [47]. Boland et al used a similar technique with the inkjet cartridges they used, except they only rinsed the cartridge several times [7]. However, in addition to rinsing the cartridge, the group placed their entire printer assembly and cartridge in a laminar flow hood and UV irradiated overnight.…”