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Cryogenic Coaxial Printing for 3D Shell/Core Tissue Engineering Scaffold with Polymeric Shell and Drug-Loaded Core
Tianqi Liu1, Bo Yang1, Wenqing Tian1
1State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
Polymers
|May 14, 2022
Summary
This study introduces coaxial cryogenic printing for 3D scaffolds using polycaprolactone (PCL) and sodium alginate (SA). This novel method enables the fabrication of advanced shell/core structures for controlled drug release applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- 3D Printing Technology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Coaxial printing is established for 3D tissue engineering scaffolds.
- Limited use of polymeric materials in shell fabrication due to constraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address fabrication constraints by combining cryogenic and coaxial printing.
- To test the feasibility of coaxial cryogenic printing for polymeric shell/core scaffolds.
- To develop a pH-responsive, drug-loaded scaffold.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polycaprolactone (PCL) as shell and sodium alginate (SA) as core materials.
- Optimized parameters: working temperature, air pressure, PCL and SA concentrations.
- Fabricated 3D scaffolds using coaxial cryogenic printing.
Main Results:
- Successfully created 3D PCL/SA shell/core scaffolds with a distinct structure.
- Achieved a Young's modulus of 38.39 MPa for the scaffold.
- Demonstrated PCL shell stability in acidic conditions for over 8 hours, indicating pH responsiveness.
Conclusions:
- Coaxial cryogenic printing effectively fabricates PCL/SA shell/core scaffolds.
- Expands material possibilities for coaxial printing applications.
- Presents a promising platform for pH-responsive drug delivery systems.
