3D Printed Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels Using Free Form Fabrication Technique for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Three-Dimensional (3D) printing is a manufacturing method in which objects, such as scaffolds, are made by fusing or depositing various materials in layers. The biomedical applications of 3D printing are numerous and continue to grow exponentially. In the present study we designed, developed and fabricated a chemically cross linked honeycomb scaffold using Hyaluronic acid, Gelatin, Alginate, and singe walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for use in tissue engineering and tissue regenerative applications. All three polymers have been used in various tissue engineering applications from liver regeneration to interocular lens (IOL) replacements. Cross linking of the homogenous polymers were done in a calcium chloride (CaCl2) bath. Preliminary tests on non-3D printed hydrogel showed increased mechanical stability and a solid structure when compared to the brittle, and mechanically unstable non cross linked hydrogels.