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Recent Advances in 3D Printing for Biomaterials

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 21578

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ulrike Ritz

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Guest Editor

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Biomatics Group, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
Interests: bone tissue engineering; 3D printing; stem cells; biomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the 1980s, enormous advances have been achieved in the field of biomaterials. The use of 3D printing and bioprinting evolved as promising techniques used for tissue-engineering applications and regenerative medicine in various disciplines. Different biomaterials (synthetic or natural polymers) combined with bioactive molecules and/or cells (stem cells, autologous adult cells, etc.) can now be printed in layers or defined structures in order to replace or reconstruct several kinds of tissues, e.g., bone, cartilage, skin, liver, heart. However, there are still many challenges and requirements that have to be addressed. Printing of biomaterials that can replace functional tissues and organs need to be developed considering aspects like porosity, stiffness, incorporation of bioactive agents, etc. This Special Issue aims to bring together innovative and successful findings in the area of 3D printing for biomaterials and to discuss recent trends and strategies.

Dr. Ulrike Ritz
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Biomaterials
3D printing
3D bioprinting
Tissue engineering
Regenerative medicine
Bioactive molecules
Stem cells

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 18400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Dimensional Printing of a Hybrid Bioceramic and Biopolymer Porous Scaffold for Promoting Bone Regeneration Potential

by Kuo-Sheng Hung, May-Show Chen, Wen-Chien Lan, Yung-Chieh Cho, Takashi Saito, Bai-Hung Huang, Hsin-Yu Tsai, Chia-Chien Hsieh, Keng-Liang Ou and Hung-Yang Lin

Materials 2022, 15(5), 1971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15051971 - 07 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2129

Abstract

In this study, we proposed a three-dimensional (3D) printed porous (termed as 3DPP) scaffold composed of bioceramic (beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)) and thermoreversible biopolymer (pluronic F-127 (PF127)) that may provide bone tissue ingrowth and loading support for bone defect treatment. The investigated scaffolds were printed in three different ranges of pore sizes for comparison (3DPP-1: 150–200 μm, 3DPP-2: 250–300 μm, and 3DPP-3: 300–350 μm). The material properties and biocompatibility of the 3DPP scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, contact angle goniometry, compression testing, and cell viability assay. In addition, micro-computed tomography was applied to investigate bone regeneration behavior of the 3DPP scaffolds in the mini-pig model. Analytical results showed that the 3DPP scaffolds exhibited well-defined porosity, excellent microstructural interconnectivity, and acceptable wettability (θ < 90°). Among all groups, the 3DPP-1 possessed a significantly highest compressive force 273 ± 20.8 Kgf (* p < 0.05). In vitro experiment results also revealed good cell viability and cell attachment behavior in all 3DPP scaffolds. Furthermore, the 3DPP-3 scaffold showed a significantly higher percentage of bone formation volume than the 3DPP-1 scaffold at week 8 (* p < 0.05) and week 12 (* p < 0.05). Hence, the 3DPP scaffold composed of β-TCP and F-127 is a promising candidate to promote bone tissue ingrowth into the porous scaffold with decent biocompatibility. This scaffold particularly fabricated with a pore size of around 350 μm (i.e., 3DPP-3 scaffold) can provide proper loading support and promote bone regeneration in bone defects when applied in dental and orthopedic fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in 3D Printing for Biomaterials)

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23 pages, 10638 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Post-Processing and Surface Characterization of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel 316L Lattice: Implications for BioMedical Use

by Alex Quok An Teo, Lina Yan, Akshay Chaudhari and Gavin Kane O’Neill

Materials 2021, 14(6), 1376; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14061376 - 12 Mar 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2783

Abstract

Additive manufacturing of stainless steel is becoming increasingly accessible, allowing for the customisation of structure and surface characteristics; there is little guidance for the post-processing of these metals. We carried out this study to ascertain the effects of various combinations of post-processing methods on the surface of an additively manufactured stainless steel 316L lattice. We also characterized the nature of residual surface particles found after these processes via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Finally, we measured the surface roughness of the post-processing lattices via digital microscopy. The native lattices had a predictably high surface roughness from partially molten particles. Sandblasting effectively removed this but damaged the surface, introducing a peel-off layer, as well as leaving surface residue from the glass beads used. The addition of either abrasive polishing or electropolishing removed the peel-off layer but introduced other surface deficiencies making it more susceptible to corrosion. Finally, when electropolishing was performed after the above processes, there was a significant reduction in residual surface particles. The constitution of the particulate debris as well as the lattice surface roughness following each post-processing method varied, with potential implications for clinical use. The work provides a good base for future development of post-processing methods for additively manufactured stainless steel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in 3D Printing for Biomaterials)

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13 pages, 8052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality Control in 3D Printing: Accuracy Analysis of 3D-Printed Models of Patient-Specific Anatomy

by Bernhard Dorweiler, Pia Elisabeth Baqué, Rayan Chaban, Ahmed Ghazy and Oroa Salem

Materials 2021, 14(4), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14041021 - 21 Feb 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3666

Abstract

As comparative data on the precision of 3D-printed anatomical models are sparse, the aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 3D-printed models of vascular anatomy generated by two commonly used printing technologies. Thirty-five 3D models of large (aortic, wall thickness of 2 mm, n = 30) and small (coronary, wall thickness of 1.25 mm, n = 5) vessels printed with fused deposition modeling (FDM) (rigid, n = 20) and PolyJet (flexible, n = 15) technology were subjected to high-resolution CT scans. From the resulting DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) dataset, an STL file was generated and wall thickness as well as surface congruency were compared with the original STL file using dedicated 3D engineering software. The mean wall thickness for the large-scale aortic models was 2.11 µm (+5%), and 1.26 µm (+0.8%) for the coronary models, resulting in an overall mean wall thickness of +5% for all 35 3D models when compared to the original STL file. The mean surface deviation was found to be +120 µm for all models, with +100 µm for the aortic and +180 µm for the coronary 3D models, respectively. Both printing technologies were found to conform with the currently set standards of accuracy (<1 mm), demonstrating that accurate 3D models of large and small vessel anatomy can be generated by both FDM and PolyJet printing technology using rigid and flexible polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in 3D Printing for Biomaterials)

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18 pages, 6688 KiB

Open AccessArticle

3D-Printing of Hierarchically Designed and Osteoconductive Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

by Nicolas Söhling, Jonas Neijhoft, Vinzenz Nienhaus, Valentin Acker, Jana Harbig, Fabian Menz, Joachim Ochs, René D. Verboket, Ulrike Ritz, Andreas Blaeser, Edgar Dörsam, Johannes Frank, Ingo Marzi and Dirk Henrich

Materials 2020, 13(8), 1836; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13081836 - 13 Apr 2020

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5730

Abstract

In Bone Tissue Engineering (BTE), autologous bone-regenerative cells are combined with a scaffold for large bone defect treatment (LBDT). Microporous, polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds showed good healing results in small animals. However, transfer to large animal models is not easily achieved simply by upscaling the design. Increasing diffusion distances have a negative impact on cell survival and nutrition supply, leading to cell death and ultimately implant failure. Here, a novel scaffold architecture was designed to meet all requirements for an advanced bone substitute. Biofunctional, porous subunits in a load-bearing, compression-resistant frame structure characterize this approach. An open, macro- and microporous internal architecture (100 µm–2 mm pores) optimizes conditions for oxygen and nutrient supply to the implant’s inner areas by diffusion. A prototype was 3D-printed applying Fused Filament Fabrication using PLA. After incubation with Saos-2 (Sarcoma osteogenic) cells for 14 days, cell morphology, cell distribution, cell survival (fluorescence microscopy and LDH-based cytotoxicity assay), metabolic activity (MTT test), and osteogenic gene expression were determined. The adherent cells showed colonization properties, proliferation potential, and osteogenic differentiation. The innovative design, with its porous structure, is a promising matrix for cell settlement and proliferation. The modular design allows easy upscaling and offers a solution for LBDT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in 3D Printing for Biomaterials)

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Review

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25 pages, 8768 KiB

Open AccessReview

3D Bioprinting for Vascularized Tissue-Engineered Bone Fabrication

by Fei Xing, Zhou Xiang, Pol Maria Rommens and Ulrike Ritz

Materials 2020, 13(10), 2278; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13102278 - 15 May 2020

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 6328

Abstract

Vascularization in bone tissues is essential for the distribution of nutrients and oxygen, as well as the removal of waste products. Fabrication of tissue-engineered bone constructs with functional vascular networks has great potential for biomimicking nature bone tissue in vitro and enhancing bone regeneration in vivo. Over the past decades, many approaches have been applied to fabricate biomimetic vascularized tissue-engineered bone constructs. However, traditional tissue-engineered methods based on seeding cells into scaffolds are unable to control the spatial architecture and the encapsulated cell distribution precisely, which posed a significant challenge in constructing complex vascularized bone tissues with precise biomimetic properties. In recent years, as a pioneering technology, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has been applied to fabricate multiscale, biomimetic, multi-cellular tissues with a highly complex tissue microenvironment through layer-by-layer printing. This review discussed the application of 3D bioprinting technology in the vascularized tissue-engineered bone fabrication, where the current status and unique challenges were critically reviewed. Furthermore, the mechanisms of vascular formation, the process of 3D bioprinting, and the current development of bioink properties were also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in 3D Printing for Biomaterials)

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