1
|
Ghelardini MM, Geisler M, Weigel N, Hankwitz JP, Hauck N, Schubert J, Fery A, Tracy JB, Thiele J. 3D-Printed Hydrogels as Photothermal Actuators. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:2032. [PMID: 39065349 PMCID: PMC11281285 DOI: 10.3390/polym16142032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Thermoresponsive hydrogels were 3D-printed with embedded gold nanorods (GNRs), which enable shape change through photothermal heating. GNRs were functionalized with bovine serum albumin and mixed with a photosensitizer and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) macromer, forming an ink for 3D printing by direct ink writing. A macromer-based approach was chosen to provide good microstructural homogeneity and optical transparency of the unloaded hydrogel in its swollen state. The ink was printed into an acetylated gelatin hydrogel support matrix to prevent the spreading of the low-viscosity ink and provide mechanical stability during printing and concurrent photocrosslinking. Acetylated gelatin hydrogel was introduced because it allows for melting and removal of the support structure below the transition temperature of the crosslinked PNIPAAm structure. Convective and photothermal heating were compared, which both triggered the phase transition of PNIPAAm and induced reversible shrinkage of the hydrogel-GNR composite for a range of GNR loadings. During reswelling after photothermal heating, some structures formed an internally buckled state, where minor mechanical agitation recovered the unbuckled structure. The BSA-GNRs did not leach out of the structure during multiple cycles of shrinkage and reswelling. This work demonstrates the promise of 3D-printed, photoresponsive structures as hydrogel actuators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie M. Ghelardini
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (M.M.G.)
| | - Martin Geisler
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.)
| | - Niclas Weigel
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.)
| | - Jameson P. Hankwitz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (M.M.G.)
| | - Nicolas Hauck
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.)
| | - Jonas Schubert
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.)
| | - Andreas Fery
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.)
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Joseph B. Tracy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (M.M.G.)
| | - Julian Thiele
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, 01069 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.)
- Institute of Chemistry, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yang Y, Yang Y, Hou Z, Wang T, Wu P, Shen L, Li P, Zhang K, Yang L, Sun S. Comprehensive review of materials, applications, and future innovations in biodegradable esophageal stents. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1327517. [PMID: 38125305 PMCID: PMC10731276 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1327517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal stricture (ES) results from benign and malignant conditions, such as uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal neoplasms. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the preferred diagnostic approach for ES and its underlying causes. Stent insertion using an endoscope is a prevalent method for alleviating or treating ES. Nevertheless, the widely used self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) and self-expandable plastic stents (SEPS) can result in complications such as migration and restenosis. Furthermore, they necessitate secondary extraction in cases of benign esophageal stricture (BES), rendering them unsatisfactory for clinical requirements. Over the past 3 decades, significant attention has been devoted to biodegradable materials, including synthetic polyester polymers and magnesium-based alloys, owing to their exceptional biocompatibility and biodegradability while addressing the challenges associated with recurring procedures after BES resolves. Novel esophageal stents have been developed and are undergoing experimental and clinical trials. Drug-eluting stents (DES) with drug-loading and drug-releasing capabilities are currently a research focal point, offering more efficient and precise ES treatments. Functional innovations have been investigated to optimize stent performance, including unidirectional drug-release and anti-migration features. Emerging manufacturing technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) printing and new biodegradable materials such as hydrogels have also contributed to the innovation of esophageal stents. The ultimate objective of the research and development of these materials is their clinical application in the treatment of ES and other benign conditions and the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal stricture (MES). This review aimed to offer a comprehensive overview of current biodegradable esophageal stent materials and their applications, highlight current research limitations and innovations, and offer insights into future development priorities and directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaochen Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopic Center, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Research Center for Biomedical Materials, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopic Center, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhipeng Hou
- Research Center for Biomedical Materials, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopic Center, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopic Center, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lufan Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopic Center, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Peng Li
- Liaoning Research Institute for Eugenic Birth and Fertility, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopic Center, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liqun Yang
- Research Center for Biomedical Materials, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Research Institute for Eugenic Birth and Fertility, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Siyu Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopic Center, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Khalid MY, Arif ZU, Noroozi R, Hossain M, Ramakrishna S, Umer R. 3D/4D printing of cellulose nanocrystals-based biomaterials: Additives for sustainable applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 251:126287. [PMID: 37573913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have gained significant attraction from both industrial and academic sectors, thanks to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, and renewability with remarkable mechanical characteristics. Desirable mechanical characteristics of CNCs include high stiffness, high strength, excellent flexibility, and large surface-to-volume ratio. Additionally, the mechanical properties of CNCs can be tailored through chemical modifications for high-end applications including tissue engineering, actuating, and biomedical. Modern manufacturing methods including 3D/4D printing are highly advantageous for developing sophisticated and intricate geometries. This review highlights the major developments of additive manufactured CNCs, which promote sustainable solutions across a wide range of applications. Additionally, this contribution also presents current challenges and future research directions of CNC-based composites developed through 3D/4D printing techniques for myriad engineering sectors including tissue engineering, wound healing, wearable electronics, robotics, and anti-counterfeiting applications. Overall, this review will greatly help research scientists from chemistry, materials, biomedicine, and other disciplines to comprehend the underlying principles, mechanical properties, and applications of additively manufactured CNC-based structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Yasir Khalid
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Zia Ullah Arif
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Management & Technology Lahore, Sialkot Campus, 51041, Pakistan.
| | - Reza Noroozi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mokarram Hossain
- Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, SA1 8EN Swansea, UK.
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore
| | - Rehan Umer
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pruksawan S, Lin Z, Lee YL, Chee HL, Wang F. 4D-Printed Hydrogel Actuators through Diffusion-Path Architecture Design. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:46388-46399. [PMID: 37738306 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Recently, smart hydrogels have garnered considerable attention as biomedical devices, and several approaches have been introduced for their fabrication, including the incorporation of stimulus-responsive additives, utilization of molecular imprinting techniques, and application of multilayered hydrogels. However, the nonuniform properties resulting from these approaches limit the practical applications of hydrogels by causing inconsistent performance and behavior. In this study, we propose a novel approach to manipulating the swelling kinetics of hydrogels by engineering their diffusion-path architecture. By simply adjusting the diffusion path length within the hydrogel, we achieved a significant change in swelling kinetics. This approach enables precise control over the diffusion and transport processes within the hydrogel, resulting in enhanced swelling kinetics when reducing the diffusion path length. Furthermore, by strategically designing the diffusion-path architecture of a 3D-printed hydrogel specimen, we can fabricate smart hydrogel actuators that exhibit reversible shape transformations during swelling and deswelling through a nonequilibrium differential swelling. The proposed approach eliminates the need to modify the spatial properties of hydrogel structures such as cross-linking density, polymer, or additive compositions, thereby achieving uniform properties throughout the hydrogel and creating new possibilities for the development of advanced 4D-printed biomedical devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sirawit Pruksawan
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Zehuang Lin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117575, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yock Leng Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117583, Republic of Singapore
| | - Heng Li Chee
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - FuKe Wang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| |
Collapse
|