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Asciak L, Domingo-Roca R, Dow JR, Brodie R, Paterson N, Riches PE, Shu W, McCormick C. Exploiting light-based 3D-printing for the fabrication of mechanically enhanced, patient-specific aortic grafts. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 154:106531. [PMID: 38588633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Despite polyester vascular grafts being routinely used in life-saving aortic aneurysm surgeries, they are less compliant than the healthy, native human aorta. This mismatch in mechanical behaviour has been associated with disruption of haemodynamics contributing to several long-term cardiovascular complications. Moreover, current fabrication approaches mean that opportunities to personalise grafts to the individual anatomical features are limited. Various modifications to graft design have been investigated to overcome such limitations; yet optimal graft functionality remains to be achieved. This study reports on the development and characterisation of an alternative vascular graft material. An alginate:PEGDA (AL:PE) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel has been produced with uniaxial tensile tests revealing similar strength and stiffness (0.39 ± 0.05 MPa and 1.61 ± 0.19 MPa, respectively) to the human aorta. Moreover, AL:PE tubular conduits of similar geometrical dimensions to segments of the aorta were produced, either via conventional moulding methods or stereolithography (SLA) 3D-printing. While both fabrication methods successfully demonstrated AL:PE hydrogel production, SLA 3D-printing was more easily adaptable to the fabrication of complex structures without the need of specific moulds or further post-processing. Additionally, most 3D-printed AL:PE hydrogel tubular conduits sustained, without failure, compression up to 50% their outer diameter and returned to their original shape upon load removal, thereby exhibiting promising behaviour that could withstand pulsatile pressure in vivo. Overall, these results suggest that this AL:PE IPN hydrogel formulation in combination with 3D-printing, has great potential for accelerating progress towards personalised and mechanically-matched aortic grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Asciak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Roger Domingo-Roca
- Department of Electronic and Electric Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jamie R Dow
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK; Research and Development, Terumo Aortic Ltd., Inchinnan, Glasgow, UK
| | - Robbie Brodie
- Research and Development, Terumo Aortic Ltd., Inchinnan, Glasgow, UK
| | - Niall Paterson
- Research and Development, Terumo Aortic Ltd., Inchinnan, Glasgow, UK
| | - Philip E Riches
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Wenmiao Shu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Hakim Khalili M, Zhang R, Wilson S, Goel S, Impey SA, Aria AI. Additive Manufacturing and Physicomechanical Characteristics of PEGDA Hydrogels: Recent Advances and Perspective for Tissue Engineering. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15102341. [PMID: 37242919 DOI: 10.3390/polym15102341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this brief review, we discuss the recent advancements in using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. PEGDA hydrogels are highly attractive in biomedical and biotechnology fields due to their soft and hydrated properties that can replicate living tissues. These hydrogels can be manipulated using light, heat, and cross-linkers to achieve desirable functionalities. Unlike previous reviews that focused solely on material design and fabrication of bioactive hydrogels and their cell viability and interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM), we compare the traditional bulk photo-crosslinking method with the latest three-dimensional (3D) printing of PEGDA hydrogels. We present detailed evidence combining the physical, chemical, bulk, and localized mechanical characteristics, including their composition, fabrication methods, experimental conditions, and reported mechanical properties of bulk and 3D printed PEGDA hydrogels. Furthermore, we highlight the current state of biomedical applications of 3D PEGDA hydrogels in tissue engineering and organ-on-chip devices over the last 20 years. Finally, we delve into the current obstacles and future possibilities in the field of engineering 3D layer-by-layer (LbL) PEGDA hydrogels for tissue engineering and organ-on-chip devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hakim Khalili
- Surface Engineering and Precision Centre, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Rujing Zhang
- Sophion Bioscience A/S, Baltorpvej 154, 2750 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sandra Wilson
- Sophion Bioscience A/S, Baltorpvej 154, 2750 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Saurav Goel
- School of Engineering, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Susan A Impey
- Surface Engineering and Precision Centre, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Adrianus Indrat Aria
- Surface Engineering and Precision Centre, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK
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Hakim Khalili M, Panchal V, Dulebo A, Hawi S, Zhang R, Wilson S, Dossi E, Goel S, Impey SA, Aria AI. Mechanical Behavior of 3D Printed Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Hydrogels in Hydrated Conditions Investigated Using Atomic Force Microscopy. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS 2023; 5:3034-3042. [PMID: 37090424 PMCID: PMC10111335 DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.3c00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printed hydrogels fabricated using light processing techniques are poised to replace conventional processing methods used in tissue engineering and organ-on-chip devices. An intrinsic potential problem remains related to structural heterogeneity translated in the degree of cross-linking of the printed layers. Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels were used to fabricate both 3D printed multilayer and control monolithic samples, which were then analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to assess their nanomechanical properties. The fabrication of the hydrogel samples involved layer-by-layer (LbL) projection lithography and bulk cross-linking processes. We evaluated the nanomechanical properties of both hydrogel types in a hydrated environment using the elastic modulus (E) as a measure to gain insight into their mechanical properties. We observed that E increases by 4-fold from 2.8 to 11.9 kPa transitioning from bottom to the top of a single printed layer in a multilayer sample. Such variations could not be seen in control monolithic sample. The variation within the printed layers is ascribed to heterogeneities caused by the photo-cross-linking process. This behavior was rationalized by spatial variation of the polymer cross-link density related to variations of light absorption within the layers attributed to spatial decay of light intensity during the photo-cross-linking process. More importantly, we observed a significant 44% increase in E, from 9.1 to 13.1 kPa, as the indentation advanced from the bottom to the top of the multilayer sample. This finding implies that mechanical heterogeneity is present throughout the entire structure, rather than being limited to each layer individually. These findings are critical for design, fabrication, and application engineers intending to use 3D printed multilayer PEGDA hydrogels for in vitro tissue engineering and organ-on-chip devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hakim Khalili
- Surface
Engineering and Precision Centre, School of Aerospace, Transport and
Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Vishal Panchal
- Bruker
UK Ltd., Banner Lane, Coventry CV4 9GH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sara Hawi
- Surface
Engineering and Precision Centre, School of Aerospace, Transport and
Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Rujing Zhang
- Sophion
Bioscience A/S, Baltorpvej 154, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Sandra Wilson
- Sophion
Bioscience A/S, Baltorpvej 154, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Eleftheria Dossi
- Centre
for Defence Chemistry, Cranfield University, Shrivenham, Swindon SN6
8LA, United Kingdom
| | - Saurav Goel
- London
South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom
- University
of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Susan A. Impey
- Surface
Engineering and Precision Centre, School of Aerospace, Transport and
Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Adrianus Indrat Aria
- Surface
Engineering and Precision Centre, School of Aerospace, Transport and
Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
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Santos Beato P, Poologasundarampillai G, Nommeots-Nomm A, Kalaskar DM. Materials for 3D printing in medicine: metals, polymers, ceramics, and hydrogels. 3D Print Med 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-89831-7.00002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
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Wales DJ, Keshavarz M, Howe C, Yeatman E. 3D Printability Assessment of Poly(octamethylene maleate (anhydride) citrate) and Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Copolymers for Biomedical Applications. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS 2022; 4:5457-5470. [PMID: 35991303 PMCID: PMC9379906 DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.2c00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we present the first example of 3D printing with poly(octamethylene maleate (anhydride) citrate) (POMaC), a bio-adhesive material which has shown particular promise for implantable biomedical devices. The current methods to fabricate such devices made from POMaC are hindered by the imposed constraints of designing complex molds. We demonstrate the feasibility of exploiting additive manufacturing to 3D print structural functional materials consisting of POMaC. We present 3D printing of biomaterial copolymers consisting of mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and POMaC at different ratios. The required parameters were optimized, and characterization of the printing fidelity and physical properties was performed. We have also demonstrated that a range of mechanical properties can be achieved by tuning the POMaC/PEGDA ratio. The biocompatibility of the copolymers was ascertained via a cell viability assay. Such tunable 3D printed biomaterials consisting of POMaC and PEGDA will have significant potential application in the development of functional biomaterial tissue scaffolds and biomedical devices for the future of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic J. Wales
- Hamlyn
Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Meysam Keshavarz
- Hamlyn
Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Carmel Howe
- Department
of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Eric Yeatman
- Department
of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
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Pakhomova C, Popov D, Maltsev E, Akhatov I, Pasko A. Software for Bioprinting. Int J Bioprint 2020; 6:279. [PMID: 33088988 PMCID: PMC7557344 DOI: 10.18063/ijb.v6i3.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The bioprinting of heterogeneous organs is a crucial issue. To reach the complexity of such organs, there is a need for highly specialized software that will meet all requirements such as accuracy, complexity, and others. The primary objective of this review is to consider various software tools that are used in bioprinting and to reveal their capabilities. The sub-objective was to consider different approaches for the model creation using these software tools. Related articles on this topic were analyzed. Software tools are classified based on control tools, general computer-aided design (CAD) tools, tools to convert medical data to CAD formats, and a few highly specialized research-project tools. Different geometry representations are considered, and their advantages and disadvantages are considered applicable to heterogeneous volume modeling and bioprinting. The primary factor for the analysis is suitability of the software for heterogeneous volume modeling and bioprinting or multimaterial three-dimensional printing due to the commonality of these technologies. A shortage of specialized suitable software tools is revealed. There is a need to develop a new application area such as computer science for bioprinting which can contribute significantly in future research work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Pakhomova
- Center for Design, Manufacturing and Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow.,Institute of Engineering Physics for Biomedicine, NRNU Mephi, Moscow
| | - Dmitry Popov
- Center for Design, Manufacturing and Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow
| | - Eugenii Maltsev
- Center for Design, Manufacturing and Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow
| | - Iskander Akhatov
- Center for Design, Manufacturing and Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow
| | - Alexander Pasko
- Center for Design, Manufacturing and Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow.,The National Centre for Computer Animation, Bournemouth University, UK
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