Recent advances in 3D printing of biomaterials.

3D Printing promises to produce complex biomedical devices according to computer design using patient-specific anatomical data. Since its initial use as pre-surgical visualization models and tooling molds, 3D Printing has slowly evolved to create one-of-a-kind devices, implants, scaffolds for tissue engineering, diagnostic platforms, and drug delivery systems. Fueled by the recent explosion in public interest and access to affordable printers, there is renewed interest to combine stem cells with custom 3D scaffolds for personalized regenerative medicine. Before 3D Printing can be used routinely for the regeneration of complex tissues (e.g. bone, cartilage, muscles, vessels, nerves in the craniomaxillofacial complex), and complex organs with intricate 3D microarchitecture (e.g. liver, lymphoid organs), several technological limitations must be addressed. In this review, the major materials and technology advances within the last five years for each of the common 3D Printing technologies (Three Dimensional Printing, Fused Deposition Modeling, Selective Laser Sintering, Stereolithography, and 3D Plotting/Direct-Write/Bioprinting) are described. Examples are highlighted to illustrate progress of each technology in tissue engineering, and key limitations are identified to motivate future research and advance this fascinating field of advanced manufacturing

Selective laser sintering and its application in biomedical engineering

Rapid prototyping (RP) technologies, which are based on computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, are widely employed in traditional industries. They are capable of achieving extensive and detailed control over the architecture of objects to be formed and therefore are increasingly used in the biomedical engineering field. Selective laser sintering (SLS), a versatile RP technique, uses a laser beam to selectively sinter powdered materials to form three-dimensional objects according to designs that can be based on data obtained from computer-based medical imaging technologies. In this article relating to biomedical applications, the principle, materials, machine modification, and parameter optimization for SLS are reviewed. Biomedical applications of SLS, especially in the fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds and drug/biomolecule delivery vehicles, are presented and discussed. SLS exhibits great potential for many applications in biomedical engineering. Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011.published_or_final_versio

Selective laser sintering of bioactive glass scaffolds and their biological assessment for bone repair

Bone scaffold fabrication using powder-bed based additive manufacturing techniques, like the selective laser sintering (SLS) process, provides control over pore interconnectivity, pore geometry, and the overall shape of the scaffold, which aids in repairing different regions of the bone. The main objectives of this dissertation were to develop bioactive glass (BG) scaffolds using the SLS process and evaluate the scaffolds for their effectiveness in bone repair both in vitro and in vivo. 13-93 glass, a silicate based BG, and 13-93B3 glass, a borate based BG, are designed to accelerate the body\u27s natural ability to heal itself and are used in this research. After the initial feasibility study, the material and process parameters were optimized to improve the compressive strength from ~20 MPa to ~41 MPa, for a 13-93 BG scaffold with a porosity of ~50%. Pore geometry of the scaffold plays a crucial role as it not only affects the mechanical properties and subsequent degradation but also the bone cell proliferation. Scaffolds with a porosity of ~50% and five different pore geometries, namely, cubic, spherical, X, diamond, and gyroid, were fabricated and assessed in vitro for a possible preferential cell proliferation. The MTT labeling experiments indicated that the scaffolds with diamond and gyroid pore geometries have higher curvature-driven MLO-A5 cell proliferation. Finally, scaffolds with diamond and cubic pore geometries were evaluated in vivo using a rat calvarial defect model for 6 weeks. Though the results indicated no significant difference in the amount of new bone formation with respect to the defect region, the maturation of the fibrous tissue to bone appeared to be quicker in the scaffolds with diamond architecture --Abstract, page iv

Accuracy and Mechanical Properties of Open-Cell Microstructures Fabricated by Selective Laser Sintering

This paper investigates the applicability of selective laser sintering (SLS) for the manufacture of scaffold geometries for bone tissue engineering applications. Porous scaffold geometries with open-cell structure and relative density of 10-60 v% were computationally designed and fabricated by selective laser sintering using polyamide powder. Strut and pore sizes ranging from 0.4 - 1 mm and 1.2 -2 mm are explored. The effect of process parameters on compressive properties and accuracy of scaffolds was examined and outline laser power and scan spacing were identified as significant factors. In general, the designed scaffold geometry was not accurately fabricated on the micron-scale. The smallest successfully fabricated strut and pore size was 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively. It was found that selective laser sintering has the potential to fabricate hard tissue engineering scaffolds. However the technology is not able to replicate exact geometries on the micron-scale but by accounting for errors resulting from the diameter of the laser and from the manufacturing induced geometrical deformations in different building directions, the exact dimensions of the manufactured scaffolds can be predicted and controlled indirectly, which corresponds favorably with its application in computer aided tissue engineering.Mechanical Engineerin

Effect of Architecture and Porosity on Mechanical Properties of Borate Glass Scaffolds Made by Selective Laser Sintering

The porosity and architecture of bone scaffolds, intended for use in bone repair or replacement, are two of the most important parameters in the field of bone tissue engineering. The two parameters not only affect the mechanical properties of the scaffolds but also aid in determining the amount of bone regeneration after implantation. Scaffolds with five different architectures and four porosity levels were fabricated using borate bioactive glass (13-93B3) using the selective laser sintering (SLS) process. The pore size of the scaffolds varied from 400 to 1300 μm. The compressive strength of the scaffolds varied from 1.7 to 15.5 MPa for porosities ranging from 60 to 30%, respectively, for the different architectures. Scaffolds were soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for one week to measure the variation in mechanical properties. The formation of the Hydroxyapatite and in-vitro results are provided and discussed

Three-Dimensional Bioprinting Materials with Potential Application in Preprosthetic Surgery

Current methods in handling maxillofacial defects are not robust and are highly dependent on the surgeon’s skills and the inherent potential in the patients’ bodies for regenerating lost tissues. Employing custom-designed 3D printed scaffolds that securely and effectively reconstruct the defects by using tissue engineering and regenerative medicine techniques can revolutionize preprosthetic surgeries. Various polymers, ceramics, natural and synthetic bioplastics, proteins, biomolecules, living cells, and growth factors as well as their hybrid structures can be used in 3D printing of scaffolds, which are still under development by scientists. These scaffolds not only are beneficial due to their patient-specific design, but also may be able to prevent micromobility, make tension free soft tissue closure, and improve vascularity. In this manuscript, a review of materials employed in 3D bioprinting including bioceramics, biopolymers, composites, and metals is conducted. A discussion of the relevance of 3D bioprinting using these materials for craniofacial interventions is included as well as their potential to create analogs to craniofacial tissues, their benefits, limitations, and their application

Additive manufacturing of bioactive glass biomaterials

Tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine have held great promises for the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues and organs. Additive manufacturing has recently appeared as a versatile technology in TE strategies that enables the production of objects through layered printing. By applying 3D printing and bioprinting, it is now possible to make tissue-engineered constructs according to desired thickness, shape, and size that resemble the native structure of lost tissues. Up to now, several organic and inorganic materials were used as raw materials for 3D printing; bioactive glasses (BGs) are among the most hopeful substances regarding their excellent properties (e.g., bioactivity and biocompatibility). In addition, the reported studies have confirmed that BG-reinforced constructs can improve osteogenic, angiogenic, and antibacterial activities. This review aims to provide an up-to-date report on the development of BG-containing raw biomaterials that are currently being employed for the fabrication of 3D printed scaffolds used in tissue regeneration applications with a focus on their advantages and remaining challenges