mSLAb - An open-source masked stereolithography (mSLA) bioprinter.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• 3D bioprinting utilizes additive manufacturing to create tissue equivalents for regenerative medicine and drug testing.
• Stereolithography (SLA) offers higher resolution and speed than extrusion-based methods for bioprinting with hydrogels.
• Existing SLA bioprinting technology is expensive, limiting its accessibility for research and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, open-source, high-resolution 3D bioprinter based on masked SLA (mSLA) technology.
• To adapt an entry-level SLA printer for bioprinting applications, including temperature and humidity control.
• To redesign the build platform for improved sample handling and microscopic analysis.

Main Methods:

• Modified a Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K desktop mSLA printer.
• Integrated temperature control and humidification into the printing chamber.
• Redesigned the build platform using off-the-shelf and 3D-printed components.
• Validated the system using gelatin-based hydrogels to print scaffolds and hollow channels.

Main Results:

• Successfully created a low-cost, open-source mSLA 3D bioprinter (mSLAb).
• Enabled processing of cell-friendly hydrogels through controlled temperature and humidity.
• Demonstrated printing of macroscopic porous scaffolds and hollow channels suitable for tissue engineering.

Conclusions:

• The mSLAb system provides an accessible platform for high-resolution SLA bioprinting.
• This open-source approach can significantly reduce barriers to research and education in bioprinting.
• The developed bioprinter is suitable for fabricating complex 3D tissue constructs using hydrogel biomaterials.