biomaterials with predefined geometry, tailored mechanical properties, and tunable biological function.
The surface tension-assisted AM method is particularly useful
for the generation of hollow structures. Here, we describe the
method for the fabrication of tubular, multicomponent biomaterial
constructs. We detail the design and fabrication of the lattices via
traditional AM and the coating of the constructs with a methacryloyl gelatin hydrogel that can contain mammalian cells. Two
3D-printed lattices are described that provide the final device with
different mechanical properties. Finally, we discuss methods to
characterize the device after fabrication. While we focus on one
specific use of the technology here, the method is versatile and can
be used for the fabrication of other geometries, with different 3D
printing technologies, materials, and applications as discussed in
many of the notes (see Subheading 4).
2 Materials
This method assumes access to normal wet lab facilities and materials such as pipettes, pipette tips, standard glassware, tweezers, and
spatulas.
2.1 General Lab
Equipment
1. Sterile 15 and 50 mL centrifuge tubes.
2. Heat block for 15 and 50 mL centrifuge tubes.
3. 100-mm polystyrene Petri dishes (see Note 1).
4. Hot plate or magnetic stirrer with heat.
5. Biosafety cabinet and CO 2 incubator.
6. Universal mechanical testing machine.
2.2 3D Printing
1. 3D printer: VIPER si2™ SLA
® SYSTEM (3D Systems) (see
Note 2).
2. AutoCAD
® software (Autodesk); MeshMixer (Autodesk) (see
Note 3).
3. Resin: Accura
® ClearVue™ (3D Systems) (see Note 4).
2.3 Hydrogel
Solution
1. Gelatin methacryloyl bloom 300, 80% degree of substitution
(GelMA; Sigma-Aldrich) (see Note 5).
2. Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP) (see
Note 6).
3. Distilled water—molecular biology grade.
4. GelMA stock solution: Prepare a sterile stock solution of
GelMA at 10% (wt/wt) in distilled water. In order to dissolve
GelMA, the solution needs to be heated to 37
C in a heat
block. Store GelMA stock solution at 4
C.
Surface Tension-Assisted Additive Manufacturing
151
The surface tension-assisted AM method is particularly useful
for the generation of hollow structures. Here, we describe the
method for the fabrication of tubular, multicomponent biomaterial
constructs. We detail the design and fabrication of the lattices via
traditional AM and the coating of the constructs with a methacryloyl gelatin hydrogel that can contain mammalian cells. Two
3D-printed lattices are described that provide the final device with
different mechanical properties. Finally, we discuss methods to
characterize the device after fabrication. While we focus on one
specific use of the technology here, the method is versatile and can
be used for the fabrication of other geometries, with different 3D
printing technologies, materials, and applications as discussed in
many of the notes (see Subheading 4).
2 Materials
This method assumes access to normal wet lab facilities and materials such as pipettes, pipette tips, standard glassware, tweezers, and
spatulas.
2.1 General Lab
Equipment
1. Sterile 15 and 50 mL centrifuge tubes.
2. Heat block for 15 and 50 mL centrifuge tubes.
3. 100-mm polystyrene Petri dishes (see Note 1).
4. Hot plate or magnetic stirrer with heat.
5. Biosafety cabinet and CO 2 incubator.
6. Universal mechanical testing machine.
2.2 3D Printing
1. 3D printer: VIPER si2™ SLA
® SYSTEM (3D Systems) (see
Note 2).
2. AutoCAD
® software (Autodesk); MeshMixer (Autodesk) (see
Note 3).
3. Resin: Accura
® ClearVue™ (3D Systems) (see Note 4).
2.3 Hydrogel
Solution
1. Gelatin methacryloyl bloom 300, 80% degree of substitution
(GelMA; Sigma-Aldrich) (see Note 5).
2. Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP) (see
Note 6).
3. Distilled water—molecular biology grade.
4. GelMA stock solution: Prepare a sterile stock solution of
GelMA at 10% (wt/wt) in distilled water. In order to dissolve
GelMA, the solution needs to be heated to 37
C in a heat
block. Store GelMA stock solution at 4
C.
Surface Tension-Assisted Additive Manufacturing
151