Development of 3D Printed Membrane for Preventing Absorption of Hydrogel Printed Structure for Transplantation

Abstract

A hydrogel included analogue would be used in tissue engineering either directly or after formulation as cell/matrix and drug depot constructs for in vivo implantation. However, hydrogel can be easily absorbed under in vivo condition. Modification therefore is required before its use in tissue engineering to clinical application. In this study, we developed 3D printed membrane for hydrogel analogue to decelerate hydrogel absorption in vivo state. To develop membrane, PCL(polycaprolactone) was used for bio-printing ink. The membrane structure was made by 3D printing, which is porous cylinder type having mesh. After that, we applied the membrane especially on cylindrical bellows and transplant the covered analogue with membrane in nude mouse to observe absorption rate in vivo. There are six of nude mice in the experiment group and the groups were two in order to measure membrane effect, which are membrane included (group 1) and not included (group 2). Structural and functional analysis was performed at 4 weeks after transplantation. The results showed that porous membrane has shown positive effect on prevention of hydrogel absorption. Also it has shown improved mechanical property rather than our previous type of membrane, which was patch type.