Visible Light-Curable Chitosan Ink for Extrusion-Based and Vat Polymerization-Based 3D Bioprintings

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Biotechnology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Three-dimensional bioprinting is crucial for creating functional tissues and wound dressings.
• Developing advanced, user-friendly bioprinting inks is essential for expanding its applications.
• Chitosan derivatives offer promising properties for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel visible light-curable chitosan-based inks for 3D bioprinting.
• To assess the impact of ink composition on gelation time and hydrogel mechanical properties.
• To investigate the potential of these inks in extrusion-based and vat polymerization bioprinting systems.

Main Methods:

• Aqueous solutions of chitosan derivatives were formulated with sodium persulfate (SPS) and Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) chloride (Ru(bpy)3).
• Extrusion-based and vat polymerization bioprinting techniques were employed using visible light irradiation for curing.
• Ink composition was varied to control gelation time and mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels.
• Biodegradability and antimicrobial activity of the chitosan hydrogels were confirmed.

Main Results:

• Visible light-curable chitosan inks were successfully developed for both extrusion and vat polymerization bioprinting.
• Gelation time and mechanical properties of the hydrogels could be tuned by adjusting SPS and Ru(bpy)3 concentrations.
• 3D hydrogel constructs with excellent shape fidelity were achieved with rapid gelation (within 10 seconds).
• The fabricated chitosan hydrogels exhibited biodegradability and antimicrobial activity.

Conclusions:

• Visible light-curable chitosan derivative inks show significant potential for advanced 3D bioprinting.
• These inks are suitable for both extrusion-based and vat polymerization methods, enabling diverse biomedical applications.
• The developed hydrogels possess desirable properties like biodegradability and antimicrobial activity for tissue regeneration and wound dressing.