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Fabrication and characterization of customized tubular scaffolds for tracheal tissue engineering by using solvent based 3D printing on predefined template

Rudranarayan Kandi (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India)
Pulak Mohan Pandey (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India)
Misba Majood (Stem Cell Facility, Centre of Excellence for Stem cell Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India)
Sujata Mohanty (Stem Cell Facility, Centre of Excellence for Stem cell Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India)

Rapid Prototyping Journal

ISSN: 1355-2546

Article publication date: 1 February 2021

Issue publication date: 2 March 2021

474

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the successful fabrication of customized tubular scaffolds for tracheal tissue engineering with a novel route using solvent-based extrusion 3D printing.

Design/methodology/approach

The manufacturing approach involved extrusion of polymeric ink over a rotating predefined pattern to construct customized tubular structure of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyurethane (PU). Dimensional deviation in thickness of scaffolds were calculated for various layer thicknesses of 3D printing. Physical and chemical properties of scaffolds were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), contact angle measurement, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical characterizations were performed, and the results were compared to the reported properties of human native trachea from previous reports. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxicity of the fabricated scaffolds was studied in terms of cell proliferation, cell adhesion and hemagglutination assay.

Findings

The developed fabrication route was flexible and accurate by printing customized tubular scaffolds of various scales. Physiochemical results showed good miscibility of PCL/PU blend, and decrease in crystalline nature of blend with the addition of PU. Preliminary mechanical assessments illustrated comparable mechanical properties with the native human trachea. Longitudinal compression test reported outstanding strength and flexibility to maintain an unobstructed lumen, necessary for the patency. Furthermore, the scaffolds were found to be biocompatible to promote cell adhesion and proliferation from the in vitro cytotoxicity results.

Practical implications

The attempt can potentially meet the demand for flexible tubular scaffolds that ease the concerns such as availability of suitable organ donors.

Originality/value

3D printing over accurate predefined templates to fabricate customized grafts gives novelty to the present method. Various customized scaffolds were compared with conventional cylindrical scaffold in terms of flexibility.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of Multi International Faculty Interdisciplinary Research Project (MFIRP, Grant no- MI02065) between IIT Delhi and AIIMS Delhi.

Citation

Kandi, R., Pandey, P.M., Majood, M. and Mohanty, S. (2021), "Fabrication and characterization of customized tubular scaffolds for tracheal tissue engineering by using solvent based 3D printing on predefined template", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 27 No. 2, pp. 421-428. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-08-2020-0186

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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