Hydrogel Production Platform with Dynamic Movement Using Photo-Crosslinkable/Temperature Reversible Chitosan Polymer and Stereolithography 4D Printing Technology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) printing using hydrogel has made great strides when it comes to mimicking 3D artificial tissue in the medical field. However, most structures do not mimic the dynamic movement of the tissues. Without imitating dynamic movements, there are limitations on the extent to which the proper implementation of the tissue's own functions can be achieved. METHOD: In this study, we intend to present an approach to solving this problem using hydroxybutyl methacrylated chitosan (HBC-MA), a photo-crosslinkable/temperature reversible chitosan polymer. In addition, stereolithography-3D (SLA-3D) printing technology was used, which is more likely to mimic the complex microstructure. As a control, a 3D structure made with pristine poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEG-DMA) was created, and a 4D structure was prepared by adding HBC-MA to poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEG-DMAP) resin. RESULTS: HBC-MA caused the expansion of water into the polymer matrix at low temperature, and the 4D structure resulted in expansion of the polymer volume, generating dynamic movement due to the expansion of water. Conversely, as the temperature rose, deswelling occurred, followed by a decrease in the volume, showing a shape memory property of returning to the existing structure. Morphological, swelling, and mechanical analysis further confirmed the principle of dynamic movement. In addition, parameters were provided through calculation of the bending ratio angle (h). CONCLUSION: Through this, it is suggested that HBC-MA can be applied as a core polymer for SLA-4D printing, and has high potential for realizing the dynamic movement of tissue.

A structure-supporting, self-healing, and high permeating hydrogel bioink for establishment of diverse homogeneous tissue-like constructs

“…1 D–I). The gelation of macromolecules is closely related to the length and spatial structure of the molecular chain, active group proportion, solution concentration, pH value, temperature, etc [ 26 , 63 , 64 ]. For AHA and GEL, the proportion of free amino in GEL is not as much as that in CMC, and the Schiff base reaction occurred more slowly at similar concentrations.…”

Sustainable Photopolymers in 3D Printing: A Review on Biobased, Biodegradable, and Recyclable Alternatives

“…[ 38 ] Terpenes, such as linalool monomer and a prepolymer from limonene [ 39 ] and polymyrcene mixed with reactive diluent β‐myrcene, [ 40 ] were used to print porous structures with high ductility following thiol‐ene chemistry. Methacrylated chitosan, [ 41,42 ] starch [ 43 ] and carboxymethyl cellulose [ 44 ] have also been used to print hydrogels, and good biocompatibility has been reported. Moreover, silk fibroin modified with methacrylates was applied in DLP printing to fabricate scaffolds and mimicked organ shapes with excellent biocompatibility.…”

Generation of Photopolymerized Microparticles Based on PEGDA Using Microfluidic Devices. Part 1. Initial Gelation Time and Mechanical Properties of the Material

“…Due to these properties, hydrogels show great potential in their application with microfluidic devices. Examples are Lab-on-a-chip devices [ 3 , 33 ], or platforms with dynamic motion and shape memory [ 34 ].…”