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Process-Structure-Quality Relationships of Three-Dimensional Printed Poly(Caprolactone)-Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds
Sam Gerdes1, Azadeh Mostafavi1, Srikanthan Ramesh2
1Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Tissue Engineering. Part A
|January 23, 2020
Summary
Reproducible 3D printing of poly(caprolactone)-hydroxyapatite scaffolds requires optimizing parameters like material ratio and temperature. Small defects significantly reduce mechanical properties, highlighting the need for quality control in bone tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Bone defects present significant clinical challenges, driving the need for advanced tissue engineering solutions.
- Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a promising method for fabricating bone scaffolds, but reproducibility and quality control remain critical barriers to clinical translation.
- Poly(caprolactone) (PCL)-hydroxyapatite (HAp) composites are attractive biomaterials for bone regeneration due to their biocompatibility and mechanical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically optimize and validate the 3D printing process for PCL-HAp composite scaffolds.
- To identify key printing parameters influencing scaffold quality and mechanical properties.
- To establish quality control measures for reproducible scaffold fabrication in bone tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the effects of PCL-to-HAp ratio, print velocity, print temperature, and extrusion pressure on scaffold properties.
- Utilized an in situ image-based monitoring system to quantify printing consistency and defect formation.
- Assessed scaffold architectural and mechanical properties, including compressive modulus.
- Demonstrated in vitro osteoinductivity of the fabricated scaffolds.
Main Results:
- Printing parameters significantly impact the architectural and mechanical properties of PCL-HAp scaffolds.
- Small defects, such as voids, were found to substantially decrease the mechanical integrity (compressive modulus) of the scaffolds.
- The in situ monitoring approach effectively quantified printing quality and defect generation.
- The fabricated scaffolds exhibited in vitro osteoinductivity.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing printing parameters and implementing quality control are crucial for the reproducible fabrication of high-quality 3D printed scaffolds.
- Minimizing printing defects is essential for achieving desired mechanical properties in bone tissue engineering scaffolds.
- This study provides a framework for validating 3D printing processes for PCL-HAp scaffolds, facilitating their clinical translation.
