Rapid prototyping method for 3D printed biomaterial constructs with vascular structures

Abstract

This paper presents a fabrication method for rapid prototyping of 3D biomaterial constructs with vascular structures. The method relies on poloxamer fugitive ink, which is over casted with a custom-made alginate based model extracellular matrix (ECM). The presented method is simple to implement and compatible with standard cell culture workflows used in biomedical research and pharmaceutical development. We present the material preparation, gelation properties and printing methods in detail. First experiments demonstrate the suitability of the ECM constructs for 3D tissue culture.