Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 14.6
(
a
) Envisiontec 3D-BioplotterTM fourth generation machine. (
b
) Vertical cut trough a
bioplotted scaffold (conventional woodpile structure). (
c
) Bioplotted jaw. (
d
) Bioplotted nose
(Images courtesy of envision TEC GmbH [
www.envisiontec.de
]
)
from laser-induced shock wave to propel cells gently into a substrate (Ovsianikov
et al.
2010
) or layer-by-layer extrusion of gelatin/alginate with seeded stem cells,
for bioprinting small 3D biostructures (Norotte et al.
2009
; Li et al.
2009
; Marga
et al.
2012
). The use of concurrent additive manufacture of scaffolding structures
based on biodegradable thermoplastics and cells suspended in gels (different extrud-
ers would print different materials, as support, and provide also cells and nutrients)
has also been proposed (Melchels et al.
2012
).
In fact some commercially available resources already exist, which are already
providing excellent support to research tasks linked to further advances in these
directions, as detailed further on.
In Europe, EnvisionTec GmbH provides its “3D-Bioplotter™” (already in its
fourth generation) (see Fig.
14.6
) which also includes some examples of attainable
devices, including a scaffold for tissue engineering, a bioplotted biomimetic jaw,
and bioplotted biomimetic nose.
The “3D-Bioplotter™” stands out for its versatility, as it can build parts by com-
bining up to fi ve materials with automated tool change, for its fast plotting speed,
while maintaining appropriate accuracy, and for the possibility of printing up to fi ve
types of cells per object.
Actually the “3D-Bioplotter™” has the capacity of fabricating scaffolds using
the widest range of materials of any singular rapid prototyping machine, from soft
hydrogels and biomaterials (agar, alginate, fi brin, chitosan, collagen, gelatin), over
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