Additive manufacturing of collagen scaffolds by three-dimensional plotting of highly viscous dispersions

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Anja Lode - , Centre for translational bone, joint and soft tissue research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Michael Meyer - , Research Institute of Leather and Plastic Sheeting (FILK) (Author)
  • Sophie Brüggemeier - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Birgit Paul - , University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Hagen Baltzer - , Research Institute of Leather and Plastic Sheeting (FILK) (Author)
  • Michaela Schröpfer - , Research Institute of Leather and Plastic Sheeting (FILK) (Author)
  • Claudia Winkelmann - , Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (Author)
  • Frank Sonntag - , Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (Author)
  • Michael Gelinsky - , Centre for translational bone, joint and soft tissue research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) allows the free form fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) structures with distinct external geometry, fitting into a patient-specific defect, and defined internal pore architecture. However, fabrication of predesigned collagen scaffolds using AM-based technologies is challenging due to the low viscosity of collagen solutions, gels or dispersions commonly used for scaffold preparation. In the present study, we have developed a straightforward method which is based on 3D plotting of a highly viscous, high density collagen dispersion. The swollen state of the collagen fibrils at pH4 enabled the homogenous extrusion of the material, the deposition of uniform strands and finally the construction of 3D scaffolds. Stabilization of the plotted structures was achieved by freeze-drying and chemical crosslinking with the carbodiimide EDC. The scaffolds exhibited high shape and dimensional fidelity and a hierarchical porosity consisting of macropores generated by strand deposition as well as an interconnected microporosity within the strands as result of the freeze-drying process. Cultivation of human mesenchymal stromal cells on the scaffolds, with and without adipogenic or osteogenic stimulation, revealed their cytocompatibility and potential applicability for adipose and bone tissue engineering.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number015015
JournalBiofabrication
Volume8
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 26924825
ORCID /0000-0001-9075-5121/work/160951471

Keywords

Keywords

  • Additive manufacturing, Collagen, Extrusion, Freeze-drying, Rapid prototyping