3D Embedded Printing of Complex Biological Structures with Supporting Bath of Pluronic F-127

Biofabrication is crucial in contemporary tissue engineering. The primary challenge in biofabrication lies in achieving simultaneous replication of both external organ geometries and internal structures. Particularly for organs with high oxygen demand, the incorporation of a vascular network, which is usually intricate, is crucial to enhance tissue viability, which is still a difficulty in current biofabrication technology. In this study, we address this problem by introducing an innovative three-dimensional (3D) printing strategy using a thermo-reversible supporting bath which can be easily removed by decreasing the temperature. This technology is capable of printing hydrated materials with diverse crosslinked mechanisms, encompassing gelatin, hyaluronate, Pluronic F-127, and alginate. Furthermore, the technology can replicate the external geometry of native tissues and organs from computed tomography data. The work also demonstrates the capability to print lines around 10 & mu;m with a nozzle with a diameter of 60 & mu;m due to the extra force exerted by the supporting bath, by which the line size was largely reduced, and this technique can be used to fabricate intricate capillary networks.

Automated summary

Biofabrication is essential for contemporary tissue engineering, with the primary challenge being the replication of both external organ geometries and internal structures simultaneously. This study addresses this problem by introducing a novel 3D printing strategy using a thermo-reversible supporting bath that can be easily removed. The technology is capable of printing hydrated materials with diverse crosslinked mechanisms and replicating the external geometry of native tissues and organs from computed tomography data. The study also demonstrates the ability to fabricate intricate capillary networks using a nozzle with a reduced line size due to the extra force exerted by the supporting bath.