Coaxial 3D Bioprinting Process Research and Performance Tests on Vascular Scaffolds

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Treating cardiovascular diseases requires vascularized tissue with complex vascular networks, good biocompatibility, and mechanical strength.
• Existing methods for fabricating vascularized tissue face challenges in replicating intricate vascular structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for fabricating vascularized tissue using coaxial 3D bioprinting and a mold technique.
• To optimize fabrication parameters for creating functional vascular scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• Formulated theoretical models for coaxial jets and vascular networks.
• Conducted simulation analysis to determine preliminary process parameters.
• Fabricated vascular scaffolds using sodium alginate bioink and calcium chloride cross-linker, optimizing flow rates, concentrations, and printing parameters.

Main Results:

• Fabricated vascular scaffolds exhibited satisfactory degradability, water absorption, and mechanical properties.
• Cellular experiments showed good proliferation and biocompatibility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) within the scaffolds over seven days.
• The fabricated vascular structures met initial requirements for vascular scaffolds.

Conclusions:

• Coaxial 3D bioprinting combined with a mold method is a viable approach for fabricating vascularized tissue scaffolds.
• The developed method and optimized parameters yield vascular scaffolds with suitable properties for potential cardiovascular applications.