Sichuan University Researchers Examine Four Levels of 3D Printed PCL Scaffolds https://ift.tt/2Su0xcN 3D printing in medicine and in structures like scaffolding has become almost commonplace today, but scientists continue to refine the processes to help patients with a variety of conditions, many of which are life threatening. A team from the Research Center for Nano-Biomaterials at Sichuan University has recently decided to explore an important and relevant topic in ‘Modification of 3D printed PCL scaffolds by PVAc and HA to enhance cytocompatibility and osteogenesis.’ Four groups of scaffolds were 3D printed in the study, in the following materials:
The team studied their morphologies, mechanical properties, and biological characteristics, with two new types of bone formation patterns discovered during the study—one formed on the grid matrix and another as new bone remolded into circles after previously being formed in the middle of the structure. In the introduction to their study, the researchers discuss the potential 3D printing offers for material scientists and orthopedic surgeons, as scaffolds can be made layer by layer in accordance with available and personalized CT data exhibiting bone defects.
PCL has been approved by the FDA and offers a suitable material for 3D printing scaffolds due to high crystallinity and a low melting point. The research team points out that it also offers ‘superior workability and machinability’ when printing at normal temperatures. The materials are already in use for a wide range of medical needs, including cranial repairs, screws to fix bone fractures, systems with sustained-release mechanisms, and already for use as a 3D printing matrix for hydroxyapatite scaffolds. PCL is also a bioabsorbable material that is deemed exceptionally safe. With all the good of course, comes some ‘bad,’ and the team of scientists discusses the shortcomings they uncovered with PCL and hydroxyapatite (HA):
The team goes on to point out the need for the following features in scaffolds:
3D printing is considered suitable for all these requirements because it allows for fabrication of the interconnected pores for bone regeneration. The four scaffold groups were 3D printed on the 3D Bioprinter V2.0 (manufactured by Hangzhou Regenovo Biotechnology Co., Ltd, China), all on the same settings:
The results showed that all scaffolds had similar porosity in the range of 74.1 percent to 76.1 percent, but there were differences in mechanical properties:
Overall, the scaffolds were successful, although the PCL/PVAc/HA scaffold showed more favorable characteristics during in vitro cell culture experiment and in vivo bone formation.
Find out more about this study here. And if you are interested in finding out more about 3D printed scaffoldings, follow some of our other stories on topics like thermoresponsive nanohybrid scaffolds, lattices made in 3D printed rectangle form, and even neural scaffolds. What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com. [Source / Images: ‘ Modification of 3D printed PCL scaffolds by PVAc and HA to enhance cytocompatibility and osteogenesis’] Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com February 27, 2019 at 12:45AM
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