High-precision three-dimensional inkjet technology for live cell bioprinting

Abstract

In recent years, bioprinting has emerged as a promising technology for the construction of three-dimensional (3D) tissues to be used in regenerative medicine or in vitro screening applications. In the present study, we present the development of an inkjet-based bioprinting system to arrange multiple cells and materials precisely into structurally organized constructs. A novel inkjet printhead has been specially designed for live cell ejection. Droplet formation is powered by piezoelectric membrane vibrations coupled with mixing movements to prevent cell sedimentation at the nozzle. Stable drop-on-demand dispensing and cell viability were validated over an adequately long time to allow the fabrication of 3D tissues. Reliable control of cell number and spatial positioning was demonstrated using two separate suspensions with different cell types printed sequentially. Finally, a process for constructing stratified Mille-Feuille-like 3D structures is proposed by alternately superimposing cell suspensions and hydrogel layers with a controlled vertical resolution. The results show that inkjet technology is effective for both two-dimensional patterning and 3D multilayering and has the potential to facilitate the achievement of live cell bioprinting with an unprecedented level of precision.

Evaluation of the effects of cell-dispensing using an inkjet-based bioprinter on cell integrity by RNA-seq analysis

“…1a. We developed the inkjet head and inkjet-based bioprinter in house 21 . This inkjet head comprised an open-air chamber for holding the cell suspension, a membrane fixed to the bottom of the chamber, a nozzle with an opening at the centre of the membrane and an annular piezoelectric actuator fixed outside and below the membrane ( Fig.…”

“…Cell dispensing using the developed inkjet bioprinter easily corresponded to various platforms ranging from 15-mL tubes to 384well plates, and it was possible to precisely arrange the cells. In addition, a previous study presented cases where cells were arranged at a 500-μm pitch 21 . Such dispensing accuracy is still observed even when using 1536-well plates, and the inkjet bioprinter supports the specifications of a cell-dispensing device.…”

“…In response to the concerns above, we have developed an inkjet-based bioprinter with a structure that is as stress-free as possible 21 . Our inkjet bioprinter based on piezoelectric inkjet head.…”

Supramolecular Biopolymers for Tissue Engineering

“…To overcome these limitations, different techniques like material extrusion [172,173], material jetting [174][175][176], and vat polymerization [177,178] (which encompasses stereolithography and two-photon polymerization) [179] were introduced. In addition, novel innovative methods have been developed such as, for instance, computed axial lithography, better known as volumetric printing, with the aim to print photocrosslinkable polymers faster and with better resolution [180].…”

Call for special issues

“…In this July issue, 10 articles are covered. The topics range from the development of new bioinks[ 1 - 5 ] to new bioprinters such as microfluidics-based printers[ 6 , 7 ] and high precision inkjet printer[ 8 ], as well as in vitro 3D tissue models for tissue engineering[ 9 , 10 ].…”