Indirect three-dimensional printing: A method for fabricating polyurethane-urea based cardiac scaffolds

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Biomaterial scaffolds are crucial for cardiac tissue engineering therapies.
• A novel polycaprolactone-based polyurethane-urea copolymer with enhanced mechanical properties was synthesized.
• Existing fabrication methods may not be optimal for novel biomaterials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel biodegradable polyurethane-urea polymer into cardiac tissue engineering scaffolds using indirect 3D printing.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties, degradation, and biocompatibility of the fabricated scaffolds.
• To assess the performance of the scaffolds in cardiac cell seeding and perfusion applications.

Main Methods:

• Indirect 3D printing utilizing water-dissolvable poly(vinyl alcohol) porogens and a wood-stack model.
• Pressure injection of the polyurethane-urea solution into the porogen mold.
• Characterization of mechanical behavior (compressive and tensile) and degradation over 12 months.
• Assessment of cardiac myocyte compatibility, phenotype preservation, and performance in bi-directional perfusion.

Main Results:

• Fabrication of soft polyurethane-urea scaffolds with regular tubular pores.
• Scaffolds demonstrated mechanical properties comparable to native cardiac tissue.
• Good biocompatibility with cardiac myocytes, with preserved cell phenotype.
• Successful performance in perfusion experiments, showing enhanced cell seeding efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Indirect 3D printing is a viable method for fabricating novel polyurethane-urea biomaterials into cardiac tissue engineering scaffolds.
• The developed scaffolds possess suitable mechanical and degradation profiles for cardiac applications.
• The scaffolds support cardiac myocyte viability, phenotype, and function in engineered constructs.