High biocompatibility was observed in both ultrashort peptide bioinks, which effectively facilitated chondrogenic differentiation within human mesenchymal stem cells. The analysis of gene expression in differentiated stem cells, utilizing ultrashort peptide bioinks, showcased a bias toward the formation of articular cartilage extracellular matrix. Utilizing the differing mechanical stiffnesses of the two ultra-short peptide bioinks, it is possible to fabricate cartilage tissue exhibiting diverse zones, including the articular and calcified cartilage, which are fundamental for the integration of engineered tissues.
Producing 3D-printed bioactive scaffolds rapidly may offer a personalized way to treat full-thickness skin damage. The combination of decellularized extracellular matrix and mesenchymal stem cells has shown positive effects on wound healing. Liposuction yields adipose tissues that are rich in adipose-derived extracellular matrix (adECM) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), naturally equipping them as a viable source of bioactive materials for 3D bioprinting. Using gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA), and adECM, 3D-printed bioactive scaffolds containing ADSCs were fabricated, enabling both photocrosslinking in vitro and thermosensitive crosslinking in vivo. BI2852 The bioink, adECM, was crafted from decellularized human lipoaspirate, which was then integrated with GelMA and HAMA as a bioactive component. The GelMA-HAMA bioink was outperformed by the adECM-GelMA-HAMA bioink in terms of wettability, biodegradability, and cytocompatibility. In a nude mouse model of full-thickness skin defect healing, ADSC-laden adECM-GelMA-HAMA scaffolds fostered faster wound healing, marked by enhanced neovascularization, collagen secretion, and subsequent remodeling. The bioink's bioactivity was attributable to the cooperative action of ADSCs and adECM. This study details a novel method of bolstering the biological activity of 3D-bioprinted skin substitutes via the inclusion of adECM and ADSCs originating from human lipoaspirate, a promising strategy for treating extensive skin deficits.
Medical fields, including plastic surgery, orthopedics, and dentistry, have greatly benefited from the widespread use of 3D-printed products, a direct consequence of the development of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. Shape accuracy in 3D-printed models is becoming a more prominent feature in cardiovascular research. From the perspective of biomechanics, a relatively small number of studies have explored the use of printable materials to accurately represent the human aorta's properties. This research delves into 3D-printed materials, which are examined for their potential to reproduce the stiffness of human aortic tissue. To establish a foundation, a healthy human aorta's biomechanical properties were first examined and used as a point of reference. A key aim of this research was to discover 3D printable materials exhibiting properties comparable to those of the human aorta. soft bioelectronics Three synthetic materials, NinjaFlex (Fenner Inc., Manheim, USA), FilasticTM (Filastic Inc., Jardim Paulistano, Brazil), and RGD450+TangoPlus (Stratasys Ltd., Rehovot, Israel), underwent varied thicknesses during the 3D printing process. The determination of biomechanical properties, specifically thickness, stress, strain, and stiffness, was accomplished through the execution of both uniaxial and biaxial tensile tests. Through experimentation with the RGD450 and TangoPlus blended material, we discovered a stiffness mirroring that of a healthy human aorta. The RGD450+TangoPlus, characterized by its 50 shore hardness rating, had a thickness and stiffness matching the human aorta's.
For the fabrication of living tissue, 3D bioprinting constitutes a promising and innovative solution, presenting numerous potential benefits in diverse applicative areas. Nonetheless, the intricate design and implementation of vascular networks remain a critical obstacle in the generation of complex tissues and the expansion of bioprinting techniques. Employing a physics-based computational model, this work aims to describe nutrient diffusion and consumption within bioprinted constructs. ectopic hepatocellular carcinoma By employing the finite element method, the model-A system of partial differential equations allows for the description of cell viability and proliferation. It readily adapts to diverse cell types, densities, biomaterials, and 3D-printed geometries, ultimately permitting a preassessment of cell viability within the bioprinted construct. The capability of the model to predict cell viability shifts is assessed via experimental validation on bioprinted specimens. The digital twinning of biofabricated constructs, as demonstrated by the proposed model, can be easily integrated into the fundamental toolkit for tissue bioprinting.
A well-established consequence of microvalve-based bioprinting is the exposure of cells to wall shear stress, which can detrimentally affect cell viability. Our investigation suggests that the wall shear stress during impingement at the building platform, a parameter neglected in prior microvalve-based bioprinting studies, may have a more significant effect on the viability of processed cells compared to the shear stress encountered within the nozzle. Our hypothesis was scrutinized through numerical fluid mechanics simulations, specifically using the finite volume method approach. Moreover, the survivability of two functionally diverse cell types, HaCaT cells and primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), embedded in the bioprinted cell-laden hydrogel, was measured after the bioprinting procedure. The simulations showed that the kinetic energy, at low upstream pressures, proved inadequate to overcome the interfacial forces required for successful droplet formation and release. In contrast, at a medium upstream pressure, a droplet and a ligament coalesced, while at a higher upstream pressure, a jet formed between the nozzle and the platform. Shear stress at the impingement point, during jet formation, can be greater than the shear stress on the nozzle's wall. The shear stress resulting from impingement was a function of the distance between the nozzle and the platform. Cell viability, measured to ascertain up to 10% increase, was observed after increasing the nozzle-to-platform distance from 0.3 millimeters to 3 millimeters, confirming prior findings. Finally, the shear stress caused by impingement can surpass the shear stress imposed on the nozzle wall in the microvalve bioprinting process. Despite this critical problem, a successful solution lies in modifying the space between the nozzle and the platform of the structure. Our research, in its entirety, indicates that shear stress resulting from impingement should be viewed as a pivotal element in developing bioprinting techniques.
The medical community finds anatomic models to be an essential asset. In contrast, the depiction of the mechanical properties of soft tissues is not completely captured in the construction of mass-produced and 3D-printed models. For the purpose of comparison against the printing material and genuine liver tissue, a human liver model, possessing finely tuned mechanical and radiological properties, was produced in this study utilizing a multi-material 3D printer. Mechanical realism was the primary focus, with radiological similarity taking a secondary role. The selection of materials and internal structure for the printed model was guided by the need to replicate the tensile properties of liver tissue. The model's fabrication involved soft silicone rubber at a 33% scale and a 40% gyroid infill, with silicone oil as the liquid infill. Post-printing, the liver model was evaluated using CT imaging techniques. Because the liver's shape was incompatible with the demands of tensile testing, specimens for tensile testing were additionally printed. Three replicates were printed using the liver model's internal structure, and a separate set of three additional replicates, crafted from silicone rubber and possessing a 100% rectilinear infill, were also produced for the purpose of comparison. Comparative analysis of elastic moduli and dissipated energy ratios was conducted on all specimens, using a four-step cyclic loading test. Initially, the fluid-saturated and full-silicone specimens displayed elastic moduli of 0.26 MPa and 0.37 MPa, respectively. The specimens' dissipated energy ratios, measured during the second, third, and fourth load cycles, were 0.140, 0.167, and 0.183 for the first specimen, while the corresponding values for the second specimen were 0.118, 0.093, and 0.081, respectively. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the liver model revealed a Hounsfield unit (HU) value of 225 ± 30, more closely resembling the range of a human liver (70 ± 30 HU) than the printing silicone (340 ± 50 HU). The mechanical and radiological properties of the liver model were significantly improved by the proposed printing approach, in comparison to printing with only silicone rubber. This printing method's effectiveness in enabling unique customization options for anatomic models has been demonstrated.
Drug delivery devices, capable of precisely controlling drug release at will, yield improved patient treatments. Employing a sophisticated mechanism, these smart drug delivery systems permit the selective and timely release of drugs, allowing for the precise control of medication levels in patients. Smart drug delivery devices gain enhanced functionality and broader applications through the incorporation of electronics. Significant increases in customizability and functionality are possible for such devices by employing 3D printing and 3D-printed electronics. Improvements in these technologies will lead to better uses for these devices. The current and future applications of 3D-printed electronics and 3D printing technologies in the context of smart drug delivery devices incorporating electronics are thoroughly investigated in this review paper.
Patients with severe burns, inflicting substantial skin damage, require rapid intervention to prevent the life-threatening consequences of hypothermia, infection, and fluid imbalance. Burn injuries are frequently addressed by surgically removing the damaged skin and using autografts to reconstruct the injured area.