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Published on: July 10, 2013
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Bioprinted chitosan-gelatin thermosensitive hydrogels using an inexpensive 3D printer
Kevin D Roehm1, Sundararajan V Madihally1
1School of Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, 420 Engineering North, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States of America.
Biofabrication
|October 31, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a novel chitosan-gelatin (CG) hydrogel ink for bioprinting 3D cell-laden structures. This biocompatible ink and an inexpensive 3D printer enable sterile, post-processing-free bioprinting with excellent cell viability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Bioprinting Technology
Background:
- Bioprinting complex cell-laden structures is limited by the availability of suitable biocompatible inks and controlled printing conditions.
- Existing methods often require post-processing steps, adding complexity and potentially affecting cell viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel thermogelling chitosan-gelatin (CG) hydrogel as a biocompatible ink for 3D bioprinting.
- To investigate the influence of printing parameters on fiber formation, size, and cell distribution using an affordable 3D bioprinter.
- To demonstrate the capability of printing sterile, cell-laden 3D structures without post-processing.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of thermogelling chitosan-gelatin (CG) hydrogel as a bioprinting ink, undergoing spontaneous phase change at physiological temperature.
- Utilized a low-cost, modified 3D printer with a new extruder for printing with disposable syringes and hypodermic needles.
- Investigated CG concentration effects, solution preparation (centrifugation, mixing, degassing), print bed temperature profiles, and printing parameters (feed rate, flow rate, needle height).
- Assessed neuroblastoma cell distribution and viability in printed fibers over five days in culture, using agarose gel for uniform print surfaces.
Main Results:
- Degassing and precooling the CG solution were crucial for achieving continuous fibers.
- Fiber size was significantly influenced by print bed temperature and feed rate, decreasing with increased feed rate (760 to 243 μm).
- An optimal needle height was identified, initially decreasing then increasing fiber size.
- Neuroblastoma cells showed excellent distribution and viability within the printed fibers after five days, with no contamination.
Conclusions:
- A novel, biocompatible, thermogelling chitosan-gelatin (CG) hydrogel ink was successfully developed for 3D bioprinting.
- An inexpensive, modified 3D bioprinter enabled the fabrication of sterile, cell-laden structures without post-processing.
- The developed CG hydrogel ink and bioprinter system show significant potential for creating various cell-laden 3D structures for tissue engineering applications.
