RESEARCH ARTICLE

Vol. 42 | No. 2 | MAY - AUGUST 2021 | pp 149-159

ib
dx.doi.org/10.17488/RMIB.42.2.12 E-LOCATION ID: 1178

Evaluation of Parameters in PLA and PCL Scaffolds to be Used in

Cartilaginous Tissues

Evaluación de Parámetros en Andamios de PLA y PCL a ser Utilizados en Tejidos Cartilaginosos

K. Cea1, M. Donoso1, G. Sérandour2, 3, G. Martínez2, L. Alegría4

Escuela de Ingeniería Civil Mecánica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Austral de Chile.
1

2
Instituto de Diseño y Métodos Industriales, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Austral de Chile.
3
LeufüLab, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Austral de Chile.
4
Centro de Docencia de Ciencias Básicas para Ingeniería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Austral de Chile.

ABSTRACT
The scopes of medical treatments involving organ transplants and implants for chronic problems and trauma have
changed significantly. However, these procedures are subject to multiple problems. Recently, tissue engineering has
been used to address them. The present study is framed in the field of tissue engineering, particularly cartilage tis-
sue, and proposes the evaluation of geometric and impression parameters for the manufacture of scaffolds as a ba-
sis for the growth of cells through 3D impression techniques. These scaffolds are highly porous three-dimensional
supports that house donated or himself patient cells, providing a surface where the cells can adhere and proliferate.
In the methodology, geometric and pore size variables are defined for scaffolding modeling by using CAD techni-
ques and standardization of the printing process with standard 3D printers and accessible materials. The results
showed that material flow, printing temperature, printing speed and ventilation are the most influential parameters
in the manufacture of scaffolds. Additionally, it was found micrometric variations between the modeled design and
the printing result. These scaffolds will subsequently be subjected to in vitro cell culture evaluating the adherence,
division, and proliferation of the cells.

KEYWORDS: Scaffold, Cartilaginous Tissue, 3D Printing

150 REVISTA MEXICANA DE INGENIERÍA BIOMÉDICA | Vol. 42 | No. 2 | MAY - AUGUST 2021

RESUMEN
Los alcances de los tratamientos médicos que involucran trasplantes e implantes de órganos para problemas cróni-
cos y traumatismos han cambiado significativamente. No obstante, dichos procedimientos están sujetos a múltiples
problemáticas. Recientemente, se ha recurrido a la ingeniería de tejidos, para abordarlos. El presente estudio se
enmarca en el campo de la ingeniería de tejidos, particularmente de tejido cartilaginoso, y plantea la evaluación de
parámetros geométricos y de impresión para la fabricación de andamios (scaffolds) como base para el crecimiento
de células a través de técnicas de impresión 3D. Dichos andamios son soportes tridimensionales altamente porosos
que albergan células, pudiendo ser estas del propio paciente o donadas, proporcionando una superficie donde estas
se adhieran y proliferen. En la metodología se definen variables geométricas y de tamaño de poro para modelación
de los andamios mediante CAD y estandarización del proceso de impresión con impresoras 3D estándar y mate-
riales accesibles. Los resultados mostraron que el flujo de material, la temperatura de impresión, la velocidad de
impresión y la ventilación son los parámetros más influyentes en la fabricación de andamios. Adicionalmente, se
encontraron variaciones micrométricas entre el diseño modelado y el resultado de la impresión. Estos andamios,
posteriormente, serán sometidos a cultivo celular in vitro evaluándose la adherencia, división y proliferación de las
células.

PALABRAS CLAVE: Andamio, Tejido Cartilaginoso, Impresión 3D

Corresponding author Received:

TO: Gabriela Martínez 28 April 2021
INSTITUTION: Universidad Austral de Chile

ADDRESS: Avenida General Lagos #2086, Valdivia,

Accepted:
Los Ríos, Chile 19 July 2021
E-MAIL: gabriela.martinez@uach.cl
K. Cea et al. Evaluation of Parameters in PLA and PCL Scaffolds to be Used in Cartilaginous Tissuess 151

INTRODUCTION process , among others. These investigations have

[10]

Sometimes, different diseases or physical or chemical generated extensive and interesting information that
aggressions can lead to a loss or alteration of the cells of has made it possible to make considerable improve-
a tissue or organ. The normal restitution of this tissue is ments in this discipline. More recently, diverse medical
the main purpose of regenerative medicine [1]
. Tissue sub-specialties have started considering novel 3D bio-
engineering is a new area of regenerative medicine printing approaches, based on the concept of combin-
whose objective is the construction of in vitro tissues ing living cells and biomaterials, controlling cell prolif-
for a therapeutic use, that allows to restoring, replacing, eration, attachment, and migration within 3D printed
or increasing the functional activities of the organic scaffolds [11]
. Currently, it is possible to design and
tissues themselves . Basically, tissue engineering con-
[2]
manufacture cartilage in the shape of an ear, in vitro,
sists of growing cells in an enriched three-dimensional which is subsequently implanted under the patient's
matrix, where these cells can grow and later be trans- skin. However, we must consider that these are new
planted into a recipient organ . Three components can
[3]
procedures and there is still a need to improve the
be distinguished: cells, biomaterials (the extracellular methodologies and materials used. For this reason, it is
matrix or supporting scaffolds) and growth factors. important to define and evaluate manufacturing
This paper will focus specifically on contributing infor- parameters to guarantee the manufacture quality of
mation and methodologies in the construction of scaf- scaffolds. Different parameters such as material, geom-
folds for cartilaginous tissue. Among its possible appli- etry and pore size are evaluated, indicating how the
cations is the aesthetic treatment of microtia, a congen- manufacturing process can alter the expected result.
ital malformation of the external ear that ranges from
mild structural anomalies to the complete absence of Two biocompatible and biodegradable materials,
the ear, with a prevalence rate that varies significantly polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA), were
between countries ranging from 0.8 to 17.4 per 10,000 used to manufacture the scaffolds. While there are
births, with a higher prevalence reported in Ecuadorians, other biocompatible materials, these two materials
Chileans and Finns, with prevalence of 17.4; 8.8 and 4.3 were used primarily because they are economic,
respectively for every 10,000 births [4]
. Current cosme- although both present different difficulties in their
tic treatment options for children include reconstruc- manufacture. These materials will generate printing
tion with prosthesis, combination of prosthesis and parameters that can be extrapolated to other biocom-
own tissue, and autologous rib cartilage transplant. patible materials with similar characteristics.

Scaffolds, which can be manufactured by 3D printing, MATERIALS AND METHODS

are highly porous three-dimensional substrates that The steps needed to allow the characterization of the
house cells, providing a surface to which they can necessary parameters for 3D scaffolding printing will
adhere, thrive and multiply ; consequently, they gen-
[5]
be developed in the following section.
erate an extracellular matrix (ECM) of structural and
functional proteins and saccharides that form living Experiment design
tissue [6]
. This type of structure has been used in differ- Based on the information collected from studies of
ent organs such as bone tissues or soft tissues [7]
. the geometry importance for cell growth, the size of
During the last decades, much research has been car- the manufactured pores ranged between 200 µm and
ried out regarding structural capacity , biocompati-
[8]
600 µm [12] [13]. As for the shape, square, triangular and
bility, cell growth speed , shape and manufacturing
[9]
ellipsoidal geometries were defined. The repetitive-
 Tabla 1

Square Triangular Ellipsoidal

152 REVISTA MEXICANA DE INGENIERÍA BIOMÉDICA | Vol. 42 | No. 2 | MAY - AUGUST 2021

ness of the experiment was set to 6 times for each ated. Table 1 considers the geometries manufactured
combination. This is because the printers are manu- with PLA and
𝑝𝑝1=Table
600 µm - 2
b3:considers
300 µm the geometries
𝑙𝑙= 20 mm manu-
𝑝𝑝1= 450 µm - b2: 225 µm 𝑒𝑒= 200 µm
ally calibrated, which interferes with the equality factured with PLC.
𝑝𝑝1= 300 µm ℎ= 1,2 mm

between one scaffold and another. Coupled with this

inaccuracy, it was considered the diameter variation in Tabla 2 dimensions.
TABLE 2. PCL scaffolding

the of the PLA material, it is +/- 0.05 mm which also

influences the accuracy of pore size. Square

Design and computational

�

modeling of scaffolding
𝑝𝑝1= 200 µm 𝑙𝑙= 20 mm
For the design of the PLA and PCL scaffolds, it is 𝑝𝑝1= 400 µm 𝑒𝑒= 400 µm
𝑝𝑝1= 400 µm ℎ= 1,2 mm
essential to define the following geometric parame-
ters: l (scaffold length), p (pore size), h (scaffold height)
Tabla 3
and e (filament thickness). These parameters can be The pore size is represented by p and b parameter. For
seen in Figure 1. square and triangular geometries
Features PLA* [14] three PCL*[15]
scaffolds were
defined, for
Originellipsoidal geometry
USA just two
USA scaffolds

were defined.
Brand Figure 2 shows
3Dxtech the structure of triangu-
Sigma-Aldrich

lar and ellipsoidal

Presentation scaffolding.
Filament Granulated

Material diameter 1,75 mm +/- 0,05 3 mm

Temp. Extrusion °C 190-220 54-70

Color Without pigment Without pigment

(natural) (natural)

Density 1,24 g/cc 1.145 g/mL at 25 °C

Tensile Strength 56 MPa -

Tensile Modulus 2865 MPa -

FIGURE 2. Structure of triangular and ellipsoidal
Tensile Elongation, 8% -
Breakscaffolding. Source: self-made.
Flexural Strength 178 MPa -

FIGURE 1. Top, three-dimensional view and dimensions Flexural Modulus 3D Print

3185 MPa -

(parameters) of the square scaffold. Source: self-made. This section *This

shows the iscommercial
information properties of the
indicated by the provider.

materials to be printed, the machine considered for 3D

Once these parameters were defined, it was neces- Tabla
printing in both PLA and PCL,4in addition to the print-
sary to define the type of pore geometry. In this work, ing protocol.
P1 Printer P2 Printer
the geometries shown in Tables 1 and 2 were evalu-
Anet A8 Prototype
Materials
Brand
Diy Prusa I3 “VitaPrint 3D”

Tabla 1 dimensions.
TABLE 1. PLA scaffolding Table 3 Extruder
shows the characteristics
Brass nozzle with
0.2 diameter mm
ofsteel
the materials
22 gauge stainless
needle
used for the manufacture of scaffolding. The PLA fila-
Square Triangular Ellipsoidal
ment, despite not having a biocompatibility certifi-
cate, was chosen because it is based on natural resins,
� � �
without additives or colorants. It should be noted that
� the PLC has no additives or composts to be either per-
𝑝𝑝1= 600 µm - b3: 300 µm 𝑙𝑙= 20 mm sistent, bioaccumulative and toxic and its molecular
𝑝𝑝1= 450 µm - b2: 225 µm 𝑒𝑒= 200 µm
𝑝𝑝1= 300 µm ℎ= 1,2 mm weight in mass Mw is 80,000.

Tabla 2
 𝑝𝑝1= 600 µm - b3: 300 µm 𝑙𝑙= 20 mm
𝑝𝑝1= 450 µm - b2: 225 µm 𝑒𝑒= 200 µm
𝑝𝑝1= 300 µm ℎ= 1,2 mm

𝑝𝑝1= 200 µm
𝑝𝑝1= 400 µm
Tabla 2 𝑙𝑙= 20 mm
𝑒𝑒= 400 µm
K. Cea et al. Evaluation of Parameters in PLA and PCL Scaffolds to be Used in Cartilaginous Tissuess 153
𝑝𝑝1= 400 µm ℎ= 1,2 mm

Square

Tabla 3of the materials.

TABLE 3. Characteristics Print care
The environmental conditions for printing were taken
Features PLA* [14] PCL*[15]
into account. For this, variables such as air currents,
Origin USA USA
𝑝𝑝1= 200 µm
𝑝𝑝1= 400 µm
𝑙𝑙= 20 mm
𝑒𝑒= 400 µm
humidity, temperature, and hygiene were considered.
Brand 3Dxtech Sigma-Aldrich
𝑝𝑝1= 400 µm ℎ= 1,2 mm
Presentation Filament Granulated

Material diameter 1,75 mm +/- 0,05 3 mm

Scaffold Porosity Calculation
Temp. Extrusion °C
Tabla
190-220
3 54-70 To obtain the porosity of the PLA scaffolds, the length
Color Without pigment Without pigment of the filament used in the printing of each geometry
Features PLA* [14]
(natural) PCL*[15]
(natural)
was measured and its volume is obtained by multiply-
Origin
Density USA
1,24 g/cc USAat 25 °C
1.145 g/mL
Brand
Tensile Strength 3Dxtech
56 MPa Sigma-Aldrich
-
ing the length of the filament by its area. The area is a
Presentation
Tensile Modulus Filament
2865 MPa Granulated
- constant value since the filament has a diameter of
Material
Tensile diameter
Elongation, 1,75 mm
8%+/- 0,05 3 mm
- 1.75 mm. Similarly, for the PCL, the advance of the
Break
Temp. Extrusion °C 190-220 54-70 syringe embolus and its diameter is 12 mm. It is then
Flexural Strength 178 MPa -
Color Without pigment Without pigment divided by the volume that the scaffold would occupy
Flexural Modulus (natural)
3185 MPa (natural)
-
Density 1,24
*This information is g/cc by the provider.
indicated 1.145 g/mL at 25 °C if it were solid (see Equation 1).
Tensile Strength 56 MPa -

Machinery 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉
Tensile Modulus Tabla
2865 MPa4 -
𝑃𝑃 = #1 − )% (1)
Two Tensile
typesElongation,
of printers were
8% used, namely- P1 and P2, 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉
Break
for printing on PLA and
Flexural Strength
PCL, respectively.
P1 Printer
178 MPa
P2 Printer Table 4
-
showsFlexural
equipment
Modulus information.
Brand
Anet A8
3185
Diy MPaI3
Prusa
Prototype
- 3D”
“VitaPrint
Where:
*This information
Brassis nozzle
indicated by the provider.
with 22 gauge stainless
Extruder
0.2 diameter mm steel needle
TABLE 4. Commercial characteristics P: Scaffold porosity
of the Tabla 4 used.
printers
Vi: Volume printed
P1 Printer P2 Printer

Anet A8 Prototype
Brand
Diy Prusa I3 “VitaPrint 3D” Vs: Solid volume occupied by scaffolding
Brass nozzle with 22 gauge stainless
Extruder
0.2 diameter mm steel needle
RESULTS AND DISCUSION
During the scaffolding generation, the environmen-
Software used tal conditions for printing process was analyzed.
The following table illustrates the software used for During the printing, it is necessary to consider the
each application (see Table 5). following aspects:

TABLE 5. Table 5 used.

Software • Control of air currents
The printers were encapsulated in transparent
Activity Software
acry-lic boxes to prevent the entry of air currents
Scaffolding design in PLA and
PLC
Inventor Autodesk 2019© [16] that may impair the printing process and, at the
G code and PLA scaffolding
Ultimaker Cura 4.0.0 [17]
same time, allow checking the status of each
parameters
print without opening the box. They also decrease
G code and PLC scaffolding
Repetier Host v2.1.6 [18]
parameters the possibility of entry of pathogens into the
PLA & PCL scaffolding
measurement
Gwyddion 2.53 [19] printing area.

Table 6
154 REVISTA MEXICANA DE INGENIERÍA BIOMÉDICA | Vol. 42 | No. 2 | MAY - AUGUST 2021

• Decreased air humidity With consideration of those parameters, the follow-

A moisture absorbing filter were placed inside the ing results are highlighted.
box, as humidity greatly affects the properties of
the materials which can, in turn, have an impact Manufacturing remarks for PLA
on the print quality. It is evidenced that it is not possible to manufacture
designs with pores of 200 µm, because, to ensure adhe-
• Calibration sion to the glass base, the first layer of the print is wi-
The printers were manually calibrated to ensure der, producing an effect that is commonly called "ele-
proper adhesion of the material to the base and phant foot". This causes the pore walls to join, which
ensure that each print is level. causes the pore to be "enclosed" at the bottom and not
exposed on both sides of the scaffold (Figure 3).
• Print surface
Glass was chosen as the printing surface to facili-
tate cleaning and hygiene.

• Hygiene
For the printing process, special care was taken in FIGURE 3. Side view of square geometry scaffolding with

the hygiene of all the implements and the sur- "elephant foot" effect (not to scale). Source: self-made.
rounding area of the printing. For this, 70% (w/v)
alcohol were used to disinfect the workspace and It is possible to reduce this phenomenon by relying on
tools. This concentration is the classic and agreed Cura software ; however, this greatly hinders the
[17]

recommendation of the reliable methods for de- adhesion of the material, which does not make its
contaminating surfaces . Additionally, it was
[20]
manufacture possible.
contemplated the use of masks and clinical
gloves. In the case of ellipsoidal scaffolding, it is evidenced
that the way to print with precision, is to form each
• Room temperature line with two thinner lines by using the option Special
This variable had a high impact on the scaffold's Modes-Surface: mode surface option [18]
(Figure 4(A))
print quality. For the PLA case, the extruder tem- The normal option (used in the other geometries)
perature must be lowered to counteract the ambi- doesn’t a satisfactory result (Figure 4(B)).
ent temperature. If the ambient temperature
exceeds 20 °C, the extruder temperature should
be lowered beyond the limits recommended by
the manufacturer. On the other hand, the PCL
printing were more susceptible to variations on
ambient temperature; when the temperature was
below 10 °C, the printing was released by retrac- FIGURE 4. Ellipsoidal scaffolding. The images was

tion because the material cools too quickly, and, taken from optical microscope with x50 magnification.
if the temperature exceeded 20 °C, the material Printed in surface option surface mode (two lines) (A).
was kept in a viscous state for a long time, decreas- Printed in normal option surface mode (single line) (B).
ing the pore size. Source: self-made.
 Line width1 (mm) 0.18

Print plate temperature (°C) 60

Horizontal expansion of the

-1
initial layer2

Z seam alignment3 User specified

K. Cea et al. Evaluation of Parameters in PLA and PCL Scaffolds to be Used in Cartilaginous Tissuess 155
Enable retraction √

Type of print plate adhesion4 Skirt

This phenomenon could be because on normal option, TABLE 7. Differentiated printing parameters

the extruder sometimes don’t print consecutively for PLATable 7

geometries [19]
.
Table 5
(printing the sections in Random form (Figure 5),
Square Triangle Ellipse
which does not happen with the surface option. Activity Software
Line width
29 20 29
initial layerdesign
Scaffolding % in PLA and
Inventor Autodesk 2019© [16]
PLC
Printing temp.
184 184 182
G code(°C)
and PLA scaffolding
Ultimaker Cura 4.0.0 [17]
parameters
Flow
92 92 92
G code% and PLC scaffolding
Repetier Host v2.1.6 [18]
parameters
Initial layer
83 81 78
PLAflow
& PCL% scaffolding
Gwyddion 2.53 [19]
measurement
Print speed
23 23 9.5
(mm/s)
FIGURE 5. Extruder path in surface mode normal option.
Ventilation
speed %
50 Table 6 50 35

The disadvantage of using two lines to form one is a

Common print parameters for PLA geometries
thicker line results, so, the porosity of the scaffold Dimensions Table
and 8
porosity for PLA
Parameter Value
decreases. To compensate part of this effect, the line is Layer height (mm) 0.1
Geometry
Square Triangle Ellipse
designed 0.01 mm smaller for this geometry. Initial layer height (mm) 0.1
𝒑𝒑1 86% 87% 60%
On average,
Line width1 (mm)all the geometries except0.18 the ellipse were
𝒑𝒑2 80% 82% 56%
Print parameters for PLA approximately 50
Print plate temperature
𝒑𝒑3
µm(°C)smaller than the 60
73% 78%
computationally
-
Tables 6 and 7 show the parameters obtained for opti- modeled design.
Horizontal
𝒑𝒑1
initial layer
For
expansion
2
the
of the
86% pore size of
87% the
-1 ellipse
60% to agree
mal printing of PLA scaffolds. with that
Z seam of the 3other geometries, an
alignment Useroverlap
specified had to be
designed
Enableas shown Figure 6. A value of 100
retraction √ µm was estab-
Table 6for PLA scaffolds [17].
TABLE 6. Printing parameters lishedType
to compensate for
of print plate adhesion 4
part of the material
Skirt shrinkage.

Common print parameters for PLA geometries

Table 7
Parameter Value

Layer height (mm) 0.1 Square Triangle Ellipse

Initial layer height (mm) 0.1 Line width
29 20 29
Line width1 (mm) 0.18 initial layer %

Print plate temperature (°C) 60 Printing temp.

184 184 182
(°C)
Horizontal expansion of the FIGURE 6. Dimensions in microns of ellipsoidal
-1 Flow
initial layer2 92 92 92
scaffolding
% concordant with pore. Source: self-made.
Z seam alignment3 User specified
Initial layer
83 81 78
Enable retraction √ flow %

Type of print plate adhesion4 Skirt Print speed

23
Porosity 23 9.5
(mm/s)
1
Line width: The width of the nozzle in the software parameters is Table 8 shows the porosity percentage achieved for
modified to 0.18 mm to force the printer to extrude less material than it Ventilation
should, remembering that the actual diameter is 0.2 mm, therefore the line each PLA scaffold.
speed %
50 50 35
width used is also in 0.18 mm.
2
Horizontal expansion of the initial layer: this parameter is used at 0 by
default, this produces the effect previously referred to as elephant foot to
facilitate the adherence to the base. Using the value -1 decreases part of Tableof8PLA scaffolds.
TABLE 8. Porosities
this effect. A value less than -1 makes it impossible for the material to
adhere to the glass plate.
3
Z seam alignment: this parameter uses the random option by default Square Triangle Ellipse
which causes the start seems to be generated in any sector. This decreases
the print quality, because at the beginning of each layer the extruder 𝒑𝒑1 86% 87% 60%
deposits residues of the previous layer. The option specified by the user
dictates the alignment of the seams at the same point for each layer, which 𝒑𝒑2 80% 82% 56%
favors the scaffold's print quality.
𝒑𝒑3 73% 78% -
4
Type of print plate adhesion: The skirt option draws a line around the
scaffold, the residues of each print start to be deposited there and not 𝒑𝒑1 86% 87% 60%
affect the scaffolding.
156 REVISTA MEXICANA DE INGENIERÍA BIOMÉDICA | Vol. 42 | No. 2 | MAY - AUGUST 2021

Finally, figure 7 shows a magnified detail of the PLA Table 9for PCL scaffolds [18].
TABLE 9. Printing parameters

studied geometries.
PCL

Parameter Square

Type of adhesion of the

Skirt
printing plate

Layer Height (mm) 0.2

Initial layer height (mm) 0.2

Line Width (mm) 0.3

FIGURE 7. Detail of the geometries printed
Print plate temperature1 (°C) 25-35
in PLA. Image from an optical microscope Line width initial layer % 100
with 50x magnification. Square scaffold (A). Syringe temperature (°C) 80
Triangular scaffold (B). Ellipsoidal scaffold (C). Needle temperature (°C) 75

Scale bars = 500 µm. Source: self-made. Flow % 68

Initial layer Flow % 68

Manufacturing observations for PCL Print speed (mm/s) 10

Ventilation speed% Without ventilation

For the printing of the PCL scaffolds, it was necessary
1
Print plate temperature °C: Change according to the ambient
to install a hot plate on the base of the printer, to avoid temperature; when ambient temperature is very low it is recommended to
use 35 °C, when it is high, 25 °C.
the adhesion problems to the base for the rapid cooling
suffered by the material. This phenomenon causes a Dimensions and porosity for PCL
contract and forms small drops that harden and mod-
ify the height printing. When this occurs, the needle Geometry
passes through the sector again, it hits the drops, and Due to the characteristics and temperatures at which
the scaffolding comes off. Together with the previous the PCL was printed, it was deposited in a liquid state,
point, other conditions to ensure surface adhesion, is and as a result, the material spreads occupying a larger
the use of rough tape on the hot bed. surface compared to the computationally modeled
design. This results in the pores that were designed to
The pore width should be maintained between 300 400 µm being an average of 250 µm.
and 600 µm since at the lower limit the filaments are
joined and at the upper limit they are cut (Figure 8). Porosity
Based on the above and considering the largest diameter
of the extruder, the porosity was reduced to 34% for the
square geometry. Figure 9 (A) shows a magnification of the
final pore size. In Figure 10 it can see a 20 mm PLC scaffold.

FIGURE 8. PCL scaffolding cut filaments (A),

agglomerated filaments (B). The images

were taken from optical microscope with x50
magnification. Source: self-made.
FIGURE 9. PLC Scaffold. Detail of the geometries

Print parameters for PCL printed in PLC. Image from an optical microscope
Table 9 shows the parameters obtained for optimal with 50x magnification. Scale bars = 500 µm (A).
printing of PCL scaffolds. 20 mm PLC scaffold (B). Source: self-made.
K. Cea et al. Evaluation of Parameters in PLA and PCL Scaffolds to be Used in Cartilaginous Tissuess 157

CONCLUSIONS As recommendations and future research work it is

The three-dimensional elaboration of scaffolding for suggested:
the regeneration of cartilaginous tissue represents a
challenge for the existing manufacturing market devi- • The cell growth in manufactured geometries
ces. From this study, it is concluded: could be evaluated, to observe the incidence of
the geometry and/or material in cell development.
For the equipment used in this work, the pore size of
PLA must be greater than 200 µm to prevent the effect • The manufacturing options in the PLC case could
called "elephant foot" enclosing the lower pores, be expanded, by using needles with smaller
while for manufacturing in PCL, the size of the com- diameters, to obtain more porous scaffolds.
putationally model pore should be greater than 300 Additionally, the possibility to combine PLC with
µm to prevent the filament joining together and less another biocompatible material to improve its
than 600 µm, as the largest size, because the fila- mechanical properties could be studied.
ments will be cut.
• Cell growth evaluations could be carried out in
It is necessary to consider the geometric design, the defective manufactured scaffolds. When the
the contraction of the geometries at least 50 µm for computationally modeled design was not
the PLA. obtained, the result geometry is an interspecific
and random figure. This poorly arranged patterns
Particularly, for the ellipsoidal scaffolds of PLA, an environment may be beneficial for cell growth.
overlap had to be designed to compensate the material
retraction. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
K. C. Participated in the scaffold design, definition of
In PCL material, this difference is intensified, there- 3D printing parameters, 3D printing of PLA scaffolds,
fore, it should be considered that the computationally and writing the original draft. M. D. Participated in the
designed pore, decreases by approximately 150 µm in scaffold design, definition of 3D printing parameters,
the final printed scaffold. and 3D printing of PCL scaffolds. G. M. Oversaw the
project supervision, experiment planning and the
The extruder temperature is one of the most import- analysis of results, and participated in writing, review-
ant variables. In PLA material, printing can be affected ing, and editing the manuscript. G. S. Supervised the
when the ambient temperature rises to 20 °C, the project supervision, as well as the 3D printing pro-
extruder temperature must be reduced below the cesses, and participated in writing, reviewing, and
manufacturer temperature indicates. editing the manuscript. L. A. Par-ticipated in the mate-
rial selection and writing original draft.
This is extremely important when printing is a very
low speed. In PLC case, this is even more sensitive to DECLARATION OF COMPETING INTEREST
temperatures, because it is a material that undergoes We declare that we have no significant competing
large retractions if it cools quickly, so it is necessary to interests including financial or non-financial, profes-
implement a heat bed to the printing surface. On the sional, or personal interests interfering with the full
other hand, the high temperature remains in a liquid and objective presentation of the work described in
state affecting the pore size. this manuscript.
158 REVISTA MEXICANA DE INGENIERÍA BIOMÉDICA | Vol. 42 | No. 2 | MAY - AUGUST 2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was funded by the FIC 1720 Project -

The authors want to show their appreciation to the "INGOMED" with resources from the FIC Com-petitivity
School of Mechanical Civil Engineering of the Innovation Fund of the Rios Region, and Installation
Faculty of Engineering Sciences of the Universidad Project of Engineering 2020-03 n°: 13163235 of Vice
Austral de Chile for its support in the achievement Rectorate of Investigation, Develop-ment and Artistic
of this work. Creation of the Austral University of Chile.
K. Cea et al. Evaluation of Parameters in PLA and PCL Scaffolds to be Used in Cartilaginous Tissuess 159

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