Robotic In Situ Bioprinting in Tissue Engineering: Technologies, Challenges, and Clinical Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• In situ bioprinting enables direct, localized tissue fabrication at defect sites using biomaterials, cells, and bioactive factors.
• Robotic in situ bioprinters combine additive manufacturing with surgical robotics, offering an alternative to handheld systems.
• The field is nascent, with limited studies focusing on specific devices or applications, lacking comprehensive reviews.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a structured overview of robotic in situ bioprinting technology.
• To identify and analyze key challenges and technological gaps.
• To outline future research directions for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on robotic in situ bioprinting.
• Analysis of technological approaches, including bioprinting modalities and robotic platforms.
• Synthesis of design considerations for end-effectors, path planning, and control strategies.

Main Results:

• Identified critical issues in robotic in situ bioprinting, including modality-platform compatibility and end-effector design.
• Highlighted challenges in path planning, control, and diverse organ applications.
• Synthesized current progress and common obstacles hindering clinical translation.

Conclusions:

• Robotic in situ bioprinting holds significant promise for tissue engineering but requires further development.
• Addressing compatibility, design, control, and application-specific challenges is crucial for clinical success.
• Future research should focus on bridging the gap between technological advancements and clinical implementation.