A hybrid additive manufacturing platform to create bulk and surface composition gradients on scaffolds for tissue regeneration

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20865-y
• Publication Date: 2021-01-21T11:05:39Z
• Authors: Ravi Sinha; Maria Cámara-Torres; Paolo Scopece; Emanuele Verga Fa...; Alessandro Patelli; Lorenzo Moroni; Carlos Mota
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Wound Healing; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds; Science; Q; X-Ray Microtomography; 02 engineering and technology; Article; 03 medical and health sciences; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Cell Adhesion; Humans; Regeneration; 0210 nano-technology; Cells, Cultured

Abstract Scaffolds with gradients of physico-chemical properties and controlled 3D architectures are crucial for engineering complex tissues. These can be produced using multi-material additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. However, they typically only achieve discrete separate printheads to vary compositions. Achieving continuous composition gradients, better mimic tissues, requires material dosing mixing controls. No such AM solution exists most biomaterials. Existing techniques also cannot selectively modify scaffold surfaces locally stimulate cell adhesion. A hybrid cover these needs is reported here. dosing- mixing-enabled, dual-material printhead an atmospheric pressure plasma jet activate/coat filaments during were combined on one platform. Continuous in both 2D hydrogels thermoplastic scaffolds fabricated. An improvement mechanical compared the scaffolds, ability enhance adhesion demonstrated.