Innovative tissue engineering structures through advanced manufacturing technologies.
Awide range of rapid prototyping (RP) techniques for the construction of three-dimensional (3-D) scaffolds for tissue engineering has been recently developed. In this study, we report and compare two methods for the fabrication of poly-(epsilon-caprolactone) and poly-(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly-(oxyethylene)-poly-(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer scaffolds. The first technique is based on the use of a microsyringe and a computer-controlled three-axis micropositioner, which regulates motor speed and position. Polymer solutions are extruded through the needle of the microsyringe by the application of a constant pressure of 10-300 mm Hg, resulting in controlled polymer deposition of 5-600 microm lateral dimensions. The second method utilises the heating energy of a laser beam to sinter polymer microparticles according to computer-guided geometries. Materials may be fed either as dry powder or slurry of microparticles. Both powder granulometry and laser working parameters influence resolution (generally 300 microm x 700 microm), accuracy of sintering and surface and bulk properties of the final structures. The two RP methods allow the fabrication of 3-D scaffolds with a controlled architecture, providing a powerful means to study cell response to an environment similar to that found
Ciardelli
Gianluca
G
Department of Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy. gianluca.ciardelli@ing.unipi.it
Chiono
Valeria
V
Cristallini
Caterina
C
Barbani
Niccoletta
N
Ahluwalia
Arti
A
Vozzi
Giovanni
G
Previti
Antonino
A
Tantussi
Giovanni
G
Giusti
Paolo
P
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C492324:poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(oxyethylene)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone); C016240:polycaprolactone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols