Reasoning on Pore Terminology in 3D Bioprinting

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry

Background:

• Traditional International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) pore nomenclature (micro, meso, macro) lacks specificity for 3D bioprinting.
• Inconsistent pore size definitions in 3D bioprinting lead to communication ambiguity and research misunderstandings.
• Pore characteristics are critical for tissue formation and function in engineered constructs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review current pore terminology in 3D bioprinting.
• To highlight the need for field-specific pore size classifications.
• To propose a new terminology aligned with bioprinting requirements.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pore terminology in materials science and 3D bioprinting.
• Analysis of the limitations of existing IUPAC nomenclature for bioprinting applications.
• Proposal of a new classification system based on pore size and tissue engineering relevance.

Main Results:

• Current pore terminology is often misapplied in 3D bioprinting, causing confusion.
• A new classification is proposed: 'parvo' pores (d < 25 µm), 'medio' pores (25 < d < 100 µm), and 'magno' pores (d > 100 µm).
• This proposed terminology directly relates pore size to tissue formation processes.

Conclusions:

• Adopting field-specific terminology for pore sizes in 3D bioprinting is crucial for clarity.
• The proposed 'parvo', 'medio', and 'magno' classification enhances research precision.
• This initiative aims to develop a specialized lexicon for bioprinting and tissue engineering.