Open-source three-dimensional printing of biodegradable polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering

Abstract

The fabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering requires elements of customization depending on the application and is often limited due to the flexibility of the processing technique. This investigation seeks to address this obstacle by utilizing an open-source three-dimensional printing (3DP) system that allows vast customizability and facilitates reproduction of experiments. The effects of processing parameters on printed poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds with uniform and gradient pore architectures have been characterized with respect to fiber and pore morphology and mechanical properties. The results demonstrate the ability to tailor the fiber diameter, pore size, and porosity through modification of pressure, printing speed, and programmed fiber spacing. A model was also used to predict the compressive mechanical properties of uniform and gradient scaffolds, and it was found that modulus and yield strength declined with increasing porosity. The use of open-source 3DP technologies for printing tissue-engineering scaffolds provides a flexible system that can be readily modified at a low cost and is supported by community documentation. In this manner, the 3DP system is more accessible to the scientific community, which further facilitates the translation of these technologies toward successful tissue-engineering strategies.

Description
Advisor
Degree
Type
Journal article
Keywords
Citation

Trachtenberg, Jordan E., Mountziaris, Paschalia M., Miller, Jordan S., et al.. "Open-source three-dimensional printing of biodegradable polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering." Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, 102, no. 12 (2014) Wiley: 4326-4335. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.35108.

Has part(s)
Forms part of
Rights
This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by Wiley.
Link to license
Citable link to this page