Fabrication of complex hydrogel structure via free-form bioprinting: A review

• Main Author: Tan, Edgar Yong Sheng
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Additive Manufacturing; Bioprinting
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/84386; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/41776
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Different bioprinting techniques has been used in recent years to produce complex structures with hydrogels, however these approaches have been limited to simple 3 or 2.5 dimensional structures. This paper reviews the existing methods that are able to fabricate free-form complex shapes via bioprinting for tissue engineering purpose. The principle behind these free-form bioprinting techniques can be broadly categorized into 1) Providing a physical scaffolding or support structure that lifts the build material 2) Organizing complex cellular structures (termed tissue spheroids) in a controlled manner. The techniques reviewed are F.R.E.S.H. bioprinting, stereolithography, magnetic bioprinting and organovo extrusion based bioprinting. We discussed the processes critically in term of materials and resolution achieved by these techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are presented as well.