Biomimetic Tympanic Membrane Replacement Made by Melt Electrowriting.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Bioengineering

Background:

• The tympanic membrane (TM) requires specific mechanical properties for efficient sound transduction.
• Current TM reconstruction methods can lead to reduced hearing.
• There is a need for advanced biomimetic replacements for large TM defects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biomimetic tympanic membrane (TM) replacement using additive manufacturing.
• To investigate the mechanical and acoustic properties of MEW-fabricated TM scaffolds.
• To assess the suitability of MEW-printed membranes for TM reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized melt electrowriting (MEW) to fabricate biodegradable scaffolds for TM replacement.
• Analyzed scaffold designs by customizing fiber orientation, diameter, and layering.
• Applied a collagen layer to seal micropores while preserving mechanical and acoustic characteristics.

Main Results:

• MEW allows fabrication of highly organized, biodegradable membranes mimicking TM dimensions.
• Customized fiber architecture achieved desired TM mechanical and acoustic properties.
• Collagen-coated MEW membranes exhibited favorable properties for implantation and neo-epithelial growth.

Conclusions:

• Melt electrowriting (MEW) is a viable technique for creating biomimetic tympanic membrane (TM) replacements.
• Customizable MEW scaffolds can replicate the complex properties of the native TM.
• This approach offers a promising solution for improving hearing outcomes in TM reconstruction.