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3D Printing Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Devices

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A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2024) | Viewed by 13045

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jinwoo Lee

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
Interests: tissue engineering; 3D printing; bioprinting; biomaterials; organoid

Dr. Yongsung Hwang

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Guest Editor

Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si 31538, Republic of Korea
Interests: biomaterials; 3D bioprinting; extracellular matrix remodeling; stem cell fate determination; organ-on-a-chip models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in 3D printing in regenerative medicine and biomedical devices. Unlike the existing production methods of cutting or removing materials, 3D printing is known as an additive manufacturing technology, which builds three-dimensional (3D) products by stacking many thin layers one by one. In particular, 3D printing technology which uses computer software to design and fabricate the constructs, as well as their internal architectures such as the pore size, pore shape, and porosity, and in which the interconnectivity of the structures can be freely controlled, has taken center stage among regenerative medicine and medical devices. In addition, through the use of patient medical data, this process can also make customized treatment a reality. In this Special Issue, we would like to gather ideas about the possibilities of 3D printing technology and the directions of future development. This Special Issue seeks to publish work on various bio-fabrication technologies in medical applications, including, but not limited to, 3D printing and bioprinting, bio-chip, organ-on-a-chip, organoid, implants, medical devices and surgical simulation tools. Both original research articles and reviews are welcome for this Special Issue.

Dr. Jinwoo Lee
Dr. Yongsung Hwang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

3D printing
bioprinting
tissue engineering
biomaterials
medical devices
bio-chip
organ-on-a-chip

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sacrificial-Rotating Rod-Based 3D Bioprinting Technique for the Development of an In Vitro Cardiovascular Model

by Jooyoung Lee and Hyungseok Lee

J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(1), 2; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfb15010002 - 19 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1643

Abstract

Several studies have attempted to develop complex cardiovascular models, but the use of multiple cell types and poor cell alignments after fabrication have limited the practical application of these models. Among various bioprinting methods, extrusion-based bioprinting is the most widely used in the bioengineering field. This method not only has the potential to construct complex 3D biological structures but it also enables the alignment of cells in the printing direction owing to the application of shear stress to the cells during the printing process. Therefore, this study developed an in vitro cardiovascular model using an extrusion-based bioprinting method that utilizes a rotating rod as a printing platform. The rotating rod was made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and used as a sacrificial rod. This rotating platform approach enabled the printing of longer tubular-vascular structures of multiple shapes, including disease models, and the water-soluble properties of PVA facilitated the isolation of the printed vascular models. In addition, this method enabled the printing of the endothelial cells in the bloodstream direction and smooth muscle cells in the circumferential direction to better mimic the anatomy of real blood vessels. Consequently, a cardiovascular model was successfully printed using a gelatin methacryloyl bioink with cells. In conclusion, the proposed fabrication method can facilitate the fabrication of various cardiovascular models that mimic the alignment of real blood vessels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Devices)

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17 pages, 8935 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Fabrication and Optimization of 3D-Printed Silica Scaffolds for Neural Precursor Cell Cultivation

by Georgia Kastrinaki, Eleftheria-Maria Pechlivani, Ioannis Gkekas, Nikolaos Kladovasilakis, Evdokia Gkagkari, Spyros Petrakis and Akrivi Asimakopoulou

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(9), 465; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfb14090465 - 09 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1311

Abstract

The latest developments in tissue engineering scaffolds have sparked a growing interest in the creation of controlled 3D cellular structures that emulate the intricate biophysical and biochemical elements found within versatile in vivo microenvironments. The objective of this study was to 3D-print a monolithic silica scaffold specifically designed for the cultivation of neural precursor cells. Initially, a preliminary investigation was conducted to identify the critical parameters pertaining to calcination. This investigation aimed to produce sturdy and uniform scaffolds with a minimal wall-thickness of 0.5 mm in order to mitigate the formation of cracks. Four cubic specimens, with different wall-thicknesses of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mm, were 3D-printed and subjected to two distinct calcination profiles. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed to examine the freshly printed material, revealing critical temperatures associated with increased mass loss. Isothermal steps were subsequently introduced to facilitate controlled phase transitions and reduce crack formation even at the minimum wall thickness of 0.5 mm. The optimized structure stability was obtained for the slow calcination profile (160 min) then the fast calcination profile (60 min) for temperatures up to 900 °C. In situ X-ray diffraction analysis was also employed to assess the crystal phases of the silicate based material throughout various temperature profiles up to 1200 °C, while scanning electron microscopy was utilized to observe micro-scale crack formation. Then, ceramic scaffolds were 3D-printed, adopting a hexagonal and spherical channel structures with channel opening of 2 mm, and subsequently calcined using the optimized slow profile. Finally, the scaffolds were evaluated in terms of biocompatibility, cell proliferation, and differentiation using neural precursor cells (NPCs). These experiments indicated proliferation of NPCs (for 13 days) and differentiation into neurons which remained viable (up to 50 days in culture). In parallel, functionality was verified by expression of pre- (SYN1) and post-synaptic (GRIP1) markers, suggesting that 3D-printed scaffolds are a promising system for biotechnological applications using NPCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Devices)

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18 pages, 5361 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Liver dECM–Gelatin Composite Bioink for Precise 3D Printing of Highly Functional Liver Tissues

by Min Kyeong Kim, Wonwoo Jeong and Hyun-Wook Kang

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(8), 417; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfb14080417 - 09 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1773

Abstract

In recent studies, liver decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-based bioinks have gained significant attention for their excellent compatibility with hepatocytes. However, their low printability limits the fabrication of highly functional liver tissue. In this study, a new liver dECM–gelatin composite bioink (dECM gBioink) was developed to overcome this limitation. The dECM gBioink was prepared by incorporating a viscous gelatin mixture into the liver dECM material. The novel dECM gBioink showed 2.44 and 10.71 times higher bioprinting resolution and compressive modulus, respectively, than a traditional dECM bioink. In addition, the new bioink enabled stable stacking with 20 or more layers, whereas a structure printed with the traditional dECM bioink collapsed. Moreover, the proposed dECM gBioink exhibited excellent hepatocyte and endothelial cell compatibility. At last, the liver lobule mimetic structure was successfully fabricated with a precisely patterned endothelial cell cord-like pattern and primary hepatocytes using the dECM gBioink. The fabricated lobule structure exhibited excellent hepatic functionalities and dose-dependent responses to hepatotoxic drugs. These results demonstrated that the gelatin mixture can significantly improve the printability and mechanical properties of the liver dECM materials while maintaining good cytocompatibility. This novel liver dECM gBioink with enhanced 3D printability and resolution can be used as an advanced tool for engineering highly functional liver tissues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Devices)

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17 pages, 5187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Characteristics and Biocompatibility of 3D-Printed Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid Membranes Used for Guided Bone Regeneration

by Sidabhat Petposri, Nuttawut Thuaksuban, Supanee Buranadham, Trin Suwanrat, Winita Punyodom and Woraporn Supphaprasitt

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(5), 275; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfb14050275 - 14 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1117

Abstract

Bioresorbable polymeric membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR) were fabricated using the three-dimensional printing technique. Membranes made of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), which consist of lactic acid (LA) and glycolic acid in ratios of 10:90 (group A) and 70:30 (group B), were compared. Their physical characteristics including architecture, surface wettability, mechanical properties, and degradability were compared in vitro, and their biocompatibilities were compared in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that the membranes of group B had mechanical strength and could support the proliferation of fibroblasts and osteoblasts significantly better than those of group A (p < 0.05). The degradation rate in Group B was significantly lower than that in Group A, but they significantly produced less acidic environment (p < 0.05). In vivo, the membranes of group B were compared with the commercially available collagen membranes (group C). The amount of newly formed bone of rat’s calvarial defects covered with the membranes of group C was stable after week 2, whereas that of group B increased over time. At week 8, the new bone volumes in group B were greater than those in group C (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the physical and biological properties of the PLGA membrane (LA:GA, 70:30) were suitable for GBR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Devices)

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Review

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21 pages, 1566 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Graphene in 3D Bioprinting

by Rahul Patil and Stella Alimperti

J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(4), 82; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfb15040082 - 25 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1136

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a fast prototyping fabrication approach that allows the development of new implants for tissue restoration. Although various materials have been utilized for this process, they lack mechanical, electrical, chemical, and biological properties. To overcome those limitations, graphene-based materials demonstrate unique mechanical and electrical properties, morphology, and impermeability, making them excellent candidates for 3D bioprinting. This review summarizes the latest developments in graphene-based materials in 3D printing and their application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Over the years, different 3D printing approaches have utilized graphene-based materials, such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO (rGO), and functional GO (fGO). This process involves controlling multiple factors, such as graphene dispersion, viscosity, and post-curing, which impact the properties of the 3D-printed graphene-based constructs. To this end, those materials combined with 3D printing approaches have demonstrated prominent regeneration potential for bone, neural, cardiac, and skin tissues. Overall, graphene in 3D bioprinting may pave the way for new regenerative strategies with translational implications in orthopedics, neurology, and cardiovascular areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Devices)

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29 pages, 2898 KiB

Open AccessReview

Development of Biocompatible 3D-Printed Artificial Blood Vessels through Multidimensional Approaches

by Jaewoo Choi, Eun Ji Lee, Woong Bi Jang and Sang-Mo Kwon

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(10), 497; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfb14100497 - 08 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3588

Abstract

Within the human body, the intricate network of blood vessels plays a pivotal role in transporting nutrients and oxygen and maintaining homeostasis. Bioprinting is an innovative technology with the potential to revolutionize this field by constructing complex multicellular structures. This technique offers the advantage of depositing individual cells, growth factors, and biochemical signals, thereby facilitating the growth of functional blood vessels. Despite the challenges in fabricating vascularized constructs, bioprinting has emerged as an advance in organ engineering. The continuous evolution of bioprinting technology and biomaterial knowledge provides an avenue to overcome the hurdles associated with vascularized tissue fabrication. This article provides an overview of the biofabrication process used to create vascular and vascularized constructs. It delves into the various techniques used in vascular engineering, including extrusion-, droplet-, and laser-based bioprinting methods. Integrating these techniques offers the prospect of crafting artificial blood vessels with remarkable precision and functionality. Therefore, the potential impact of bioprinting in vascular engineering is significant. With technological advances, it holds promise in revolutionizing organ transplantation, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. By mimicking the natural complexity of blood vessels, bioprinting brings us one step closer to engineering organs with functional vasculature, ushering in a new era of medical advancement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Devices)

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17 pages, 1372 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Current Status and Future Outlook of Additive Manufacturing Technologies for the Reconstruction of the Trachea

by Hwa-Yong Lee and Jin Woo Lee

J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(4), 196; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfb14040196 - 02 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1812

Abstract

Tracheal stenosis and defects occur congenitally and in patients who have undergone tracheal intubation and tracheostomy due to long-term intensive care. Such issues may also be observed during tracheal removal during malignant head and neck tumor resection. However, to date, no treatment method has been identified that can simultaneously restore the appearance of the tracheal skeleton while maintaining respiratory function in patients with tracheal defects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a method that can maintain tracheal function while simultaneously reconstructing the skeletal structure of the trachea. Under such circumstances, the advent of additive manufacturing technology that can create customized structures using patient medical image data provides new possibilities for tracheal reconstruction surgery. In this study, the three-dimensional (3D) printing and bioprinting technologies used in tracheal reconstruction are summarized, and various research results related to the reconstruction of mucous membranes, cartilage, blood vessels, and muscle tissue, which are tissues required for tracheal reconstruction, are classified. The prospects for 3D-printed tracheas in clinical studies are also described. This review serves as a guide for the development of artificial tracheas and clinical trials using 3D printing and bioprinting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Devices)

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