Volumetric bioprinting process

Bioprinting today is performed as an additive manufacturing process—layer by layer.  Researchers at EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) now show how printing velocity can be dramatically accelerated.  “An optical‐tomography‐inspired printing approach, based on visible light projection, is developed to generate cell‐laden tissue constructs with high viability (>85%) from gelatin‐based photoresponsive hydrogels. Free‐form architectures, difficult to reproduce with conventional printing, are obtained, including anatomically correct trabecular bone models with embedded angiogenic sprouts and meniscal grafts. The latter undergoes maturation in vitro as the bioprinted chondroprogenitor cells synthesize neo‐fibrocartilage matrix. Moreover, free‐floating structures are generated, as demonstrated by printing functional hydrogel‐based ball‐and‐cage fluidic valves. Volumetric bioprinting permits the creation of geometrically complex, centimeter‐scale constructs at an unprecedented printing velocity, opening new avenues for upscaling the production of hydrogel‐based constructs and for their application in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and soft robotics.”  MORE

 Image Credit:  lnlinelibrary.wiley.com