Fundamentals of 3D Bioprinting Technology

Abstract

3D bioprinting consists in the printing of synthetic 3D structures used as biomaterials, along with cells, growth factors, and other components necessary to create a new functional organ. This technology can be applied to regenerative medicine and tissue engineering to treat diseases, test pharmaceuticals, and study the mechanisms underlying diseases. Currently, there are three basic types of 3D bioprinting technologies: laser, droplet, and extrusion. Laser-based bioprinters (LBP) use laser energy to induce the bioink transfer. Droplet-based bioprinters (DBP) expel the bioink dropwise throughout a nozzle. Inkjet-based bioprinters are the DBP commonly used for biological proposes, it is also a non-contact approach that releases controlled volumes of bioink drops in a continuous (CIJ) or under demand way (DOD). The extrusion-based bioprinters (EBB) also use pressure to force out the bioink, but consists of a syringe containing the material with a pneumatic or mechanical mechanism as dispensing system. Comparing to the other bioprinting technologies, extrusion printing is the most versatile and is indicated for bioprinting of scaffold prosthetic implants. The bioinks used in 3D bioprinting are composed of a solution with a biomaterial mixture, usually encapsulating cells. Biomaterials are essential components of 3D bioprinting technologies because they provide scaffolds as supporting physical structures for cells to attach, grow, differentiate, and develop into tissues. Numerous cell types have been used in 3D bioprinting to build cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neural, hepatic, adipose and skin tissues. Bioprinting is an emerging technology that has the ability to revolutionize the way we address many health issues.