Research And Development Of Low-Cost 3d Bioprinting Systems For Tissue Engineering And Cell Biology Applications In Vietnam

Abstract

Scaffolds are porous, three-dimensional structures that promote and facilitate interactions between biological signals, cells, and the environment. Scaffolds must help create the extracellular matrix and be mechanically and geometrically equivalent to the native tissue. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies have emerged as a universal scaffold production platform to combine various biomaterials into multiphasic scaffolds. Limitations of the technology include the cost of the commercial equipment, small build volume, and inability to create chemical self crosslinking. A unique screw extruder has been designed to work with two peristaltic pumps, providing continuous printing and material mixing. A controller system consisting of hardware design and firmware programming was implemented. The controller was applied to regulate the temperature of the printing head, peristaltic pump, and user interface. The chamber was built from profiled aluminum and glass to control humidity and temperature and avoid infection. A specialized mainboard from MKS was used for the printer controller, including chamber temperature and humidity control. Design, fabrication, and testing of a low-cost 3D bioprinter with self-mixing ability and temperature control are presented. The designed equipment presents positive results in printability, mixing capacity, operation, and user-friendliness.