Validating continuous digital light processing (cDLP) additive manufacturing accuracy and tissue engineering utility of a dye-initiator package

Biofabrication. 2014 Mar;6(1):015003. doi: 10.1088/1758-5082/6/1/015003. Epub 2014 Jan 15.

Abstract

This study tested the accuracy of tissue engineering scaffold rendering via the continuous digital light processing (cDLP) light-based additive manufacturing technology. High accuracy (i.e., <50 µm) allows the designed performance of features relevant to three scale spaces: cell-scaffold, scaffold-tissue, and tissue-organ interactions. The biodegradable polymer poly (propylene fumarate) was used to render highly accurate scaffolds through the use of a dye-initiator package, TiO2 and bis (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphine oxide. This dye-initiator package facilitates high accuracy in the Z dimension. Linear, round, and right-angle features were measured to gauge accuracy. Most features showed accuracies between 5.4-15% of the design. However, one feature, an 800 µm diameter circular pore, exhibited a 35.7% average reduction of patency. Light scattered in the x, y directions by the dye may have reduced this feature's accuracy. Our new fine-grained understanding of accuracy could be used to make further improvements by including corrections in the scaffold design software. Successful cell attachment occurred with both canine and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Highly accurate cDLP scaffold rendering is critical to the design of scaffolds that both guide bone regeneration and that fully resorb. Scaffold resorption must occur for regenerated bone to be remodeled and, thereby, achieve optimal strength.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry
  • Dogs
  • Fumarates
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Polypropylenes
  • Tissue Engineering / instrumentation*
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*
  • Titanium / chemistry

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Fumarates
  • Polypropylenes
  • poly(propylene fumarate)
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium