Engineering Tridimensional Hydrogel Tissue and Organ Phantoms with Tunable Springiness

Abstract

Biomimicking organ phantoms with vivid biological structures and soft and slippery features are essential for in vitro biomedical applications yet remain hither to unmet challenges in their fabrication such as balancing between spatial structural complexity and matchable mechanical properties. Herein, 3D printable tissue-mimicking elastomeric double network hydrogels with tailorable stiffness are evolved to idiosyncratically match diverse biological soft tissues by regulating the compositions of hydrogel matrix and the density of metal coordination bonds. Relying on digital light processing 3D printing, various mechanically tunable biomimetic volumetric hydrogel organ constructs with structural complexity and fidelity, including kidney, brain, heart, liver, stomach, lung, trachea, intestine, and even the intricate vascularized tissues, are fabricated faultlessly. Proof-of-concept 3D printed hydrogel heart and liver phantoms provide sophisticated internal channels and cavity structures and external realistic anatomical architectures that more closely mimic native organs. For the in vitro application demonstration, a 3D printed hydrogel brain phantom with tortuous cerebral arteries and slippery characters serves as an effective neurosurgical training platform for realistic simulation of endovascular interventions. This platform offers a means to construct mechanically precisely tunable hydrogel-based biomimetic organ phantoms that are expected to be used in surgical training, medical device testing, and organs-on-chips.

Cartilage-inspired terpolymer hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties and superior lubricating ability

“…34 Compared with the ''NC-Fe'' hydrogel, the Raman peak at 760 cm À1 was used as a marker to identify the presence of the sulfonate group on the Fe 3+coordinated and equilibrated hydrogel. 17 To analyze the chemical composition of the hydrogels, XPS was employed to examine the elements present in both the ''NC-Fe'' and ''NCS-Fe'' hydrogels (Fig. 2c).…”

“…29 Poly 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (PAMPS) is a typical polyelectrolyte hydrogel with extremely high swelling ability, which endows its application in biomedicine. 17,31 Similar to the aggrecan in cartilage, PAMPS can provide the hydrogel with fixed negative charges and osmotic resilience. 9 Yang et al 9 fabricated a composite hydrogel consisting of bacterial cellulose (BC), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and AMPS.…”

“…Articular cartilage is a connective tissue that covers the joint surface and is mainly composed of water and extracellular matrix (ECM). 1 The structural feature makes cartilage absorb energy during cushioning and shock (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18), as well as an extremely low friction coefficient (0.001-0.03) across a broad range of sliding speeds and contact dynamics. 2 Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent degenerative inflammatory disease resulting from cartilage damage, typically by irreversible degeneration of cartilage and subchondral bone due to injury or other pathological causes, eventually leading to progressive and complete joint destruction.…”

“…[14][15][16] Among these methods, ion coordination complexation has been extensively explored. 11,17,18 These ionically cross-linked hydrogels have been used in wound dressings, cartilage regeneration, gas detection, catalysis, and other fields. [19][20][21][22] Carboxylate-rich hydrogels, such as poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) [23][24][25] and alginate, 26 can be readily enhanced by multivalent ions such as Fe 3+ , [23][24][25] Zr 4+ , 17 and Zn 2+ .…”

“…11,17,18 These ionically cross-linked hydrogels have been used in wound dressings, cartilage regeneration, gas detection, catalysis, and other fields. [19][20][21][22] Carboxylate-rich hydrogels, such as poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) [23][24][25] and alginate, 26 can be readily enhanced by multivalent ions such as Fe 3+ , [23][24][25] Zr 4+ , 17 and Zn 2+ . 27 Fe 3+ exhibits a pronounced binding affinity for carboxylate groups, making it a popular choice for enhancing the mechanical properties of hydrogels.…”