The Research on Multi-material 3D Vascularized Network Integrated Printing Technology

Area of Science:

• Bioprinting
• Tissue Engineering
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers potential for fabricating vascularized channels crucial for in vitro tissue culture.
• Developing methods for creating perfusable channels is essential for advancing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel integrated manufacturing process for fabricating 3D perfusable channels.
• To investigate the theoretical factors influencing the structural dimensions of printed parts.
• To demonstrate a strategy for creating vascularized channels for culturing thick tissues.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid approach combining extrusion and inkjet bioprinting techniques was developed.
• Photocurable hydrogel was printed to form a self-supporting structure with internal channel grooves.
• A sacrificial material was printed using a piezoelectric nozzle, followed by hydrogel encapsulation and crosslinking with CaCl2 solution.

Main Results:

• A theoretical model was established to analyze the impact of printing parameters (speed, pressure, time, voltage) on structural dimensions.
• The integrated process successfully fabricated 3D structures with internal channel grooves.
• Removal of the sacrificial material resulted in the formation of perfusable channels within the hydrogel construct.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid bioprinting approach provides a viable strategy for fabricating 3D vascularized channels.
• This method has the potential to significantly advance the development of in vitro culture systems for thick tissues.
• The ability to create perfusable channels is a key step towards engineering functional, complex tissues.