Open-source hybrid 3D-bioprinter for simultaneous printing of thermoplastics and hydrogels

Abstract: 3D-bioprinting is a promising technology applicable in areas such as regenerative medicine or in vitro organ model development. Various 3D-bioprinting technologies and systems have been developed and are partly commercially available. Here, we present the construction and characterization of an open-source low-cost 3D-bioprinter that allows the alternated microextrusion of hydrogel and fused deposition modeling (FDM) of thermoplastic filaments.

The presented 3D-bioprinter is based on a conventional Prusa i3 MK3 printer and features two independent printheads: the original FDM-head and a syringe-based microextrusion printhead for soft materials. Modifications were designed modularly to fit various syringe formats or heating elements to the device. The bioprinter is the first hybrid DIY 3D-bioprinter that allows switching between materials as often as required during a print run to produce complex multi-material constructs with arbitrary patterns in each layer.

For validation of the printer, two designs suitable for relevant bioprinting applications were realized. First, a porous plastic construct filled with hydrogel was printed, serving as a mechanically stable bone replacement tissue model. Second, a plastic chamber, which might be used in organ-on-a-chip applications, was printed with an extruded silicone sealing that enables the liquid-tight attachment of glass slides to the top and bottom of the chamber

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: HardwareX. - 10 (2021) , e00230, ISSN: 2468-0672

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Freiburg
• (who): Universität
• (when): 2021
• Creator: Koch, Fritz ; Thaden, Ole ; Tröndle, Kevin ; Zengerle, Roland ; Zimmermann, Stefan ; Koltay, Peter

Further information

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2021.e00230
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2223222
• Rights: Kein Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 25.03.2025, 1:48 PM CET