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Drop-on-demand inkjet printing of alginate gelation systems

Rachel E. Saunders 1Andrew Starkie 1Nicola Tirelli 2Brian Derby 1

1. University of Manchester - School of Materials Science - Materials Science Centre, grosvenor street, Manchester M1 7HS, United Kingdom
2. University of Manchester-School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oxford Road, Manchester M13-9PT, United Kingdom

Abstract

A common approach to tissue repair is the use of a cell-seeded scaffold. Technology has advanced to provide complex scaffolds with controlled architecture and porosity although problems with incorporating cells into the scaffold structure still persist. Standard cell seeding techniques can result in poor cell seeding density, pore occlusion and are limited with regards to cell penetration, scaffold size and cell placement. Drop-on-demand inkjet printing is a fabrication technique which is capable of depositing materials layer-bylayer to form complex constructs. This technique has previously been proven to be a viable technique for use with mammalian cells yielding over 95% survival rates [1]. The simultaneous deposition of multiple cell types and scaffold matrix could yield a reality whereby human tissue could be fabricated with a precision not only applicable to scaffold architecture but also to the placement of multiple cell types.
This work presents the development of alginate solutions specifically for printing using a drop-on-demand piezoelectric inkjet system. Issues such as hydration of the alginate scaffolds throughout printing have been addressed and the printing parameters have been optimized for three dimensional fabrication.

1. Saunders, R.E., J.E. Gough, and B. Derby, Delivery of human fibroblast cells by piezoelectric drop-ondemand inkjet printing. Biomaterials, 2008. 29(2): p. 193-203.

 

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Related papers

Presentation: Oral at E-MRS Fall Meeting 2008, Symposium L, by Rachel E. Saunders
See On-line Journal of E-MRS Fall Meeting 2008

Submitted: 2008-05-12 12:54
Revised:   2009-06-07 00:48