Scaffold Fabrication Methods

Solvent casting Freeze Drying Method

3D Bioplotting Freeze-drying, also known as lyophilization, is a
It is one of the versatile and widely used techniques. It involves the mapping of a widely utilized fabrication technique. In this
3D moving head extruder which is controlled by the use of packed air to compel
out fluid or glue-like plotting medium to produce 3D solid scaffolds. Medium is
technique, it freezes a synthetic polymer dissolved in
loaded into a syringe for 3D printing. extrusion process forms lattice-shaped 3D selective solvent at a temperature between −20°C and
scaffolds by incrementing regularly arranged 2D layers in the vertical axis −80°C, resulting in the solid solvent. The frozen
sample then evaporated by sublimation with help of a
lyophilizer to form a solid scaffold with various
interconnected pores

Picture source: Kumar, Anuj & Chahal, Sugandha & Hussain, Fathima. (2019). Development of
biomimetic electrospun polymeric biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. A Review. Journal of Picture source: Naghieh, Saman & Sarker, Md & Karamooz, Mohammad Reza & McInnes, Adam &
Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition. 30. 10.1080/09205063.2019.1630699.
Chen, X.. (2018). Modeling of the Mechanical Behavior of 3D Bioplotted Scaffolds Considering the

ADVANTAGES: ADVANTAGES:
Penetration in Interlocked Strands. Applied Sciences. 8. 1422. 10.3390/app8091422.

1.Ease in production 1.The pore size of the scaffold are well connected. Picture source: Freeze drying. Freeze Drying - an overview | ScienceDirect
2.Adjustable porosity of the scaffolds and the pore size. 2.Use of abundant amount of biomaterials and biomolecules Topics. (n.d.). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/freeze-drying
3.High porosity, develops a 3D cell structure
DISADVANTAGES:
DISADVANTAGES:
1.The scaffold developed have low mechanical strength
ADVANTAGES:
1.Use of cytotoxic solvent and leads to the denaturation of molecules and cells
2.Bio-inductive property of the molecules decreases. 2. Difficult in operating due to slow speed 1.Ease in production
3.Requires a longer time to degrade and a time consuming process due to the use 2.Adjustable porosity of the scaffolds and the pore
of thin membrane
size.
3.High porosity, develops a 3D cell structure
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
DISADVANTAGES:
This technique uses laser as the power source to sinter powdered material
1.Use of cytotoxic solvent and leads to the
defined by a 3D model in thin layers. Due to the use of a laser, this technique has
denaturation of molecules and cells
been utilized to make various materials, such as polymers, metals, or ceramics.
2.Bio-inductive property of the molecules decreases.
ADVANTAGES: 3.Requires a longer time to degrade and a time
1.The operating cost of this technique is low. consuming process due to the use of thin membrane
2. Process provides high precision and control
over the microstructure of the complex scaffold
structure and high porosity.
References:
1.Naghieh, Saman & Sarker, Md & Karamooz, Mohammad Reza & McInnes, Adam & Chen, X.. (2018). Modeling of the
3. Has great mechanical strength. Mechanical Behavior of 3D Bioplotted Scaffolds Considering the Penetration in Interlocked Strands. Applied Sciences. 8.
1422. 10.3390/app8091422.
DISADVANTAGES: 2. Kumar, Anuj & Chahal, Sugandha & Hussain, Fathima. (2019). Development of biomimetic electrospun polymeric
biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. A Review. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition. 30.
1.Requires high operating temperatures where 10.1080/09205063.2019.1630699.
3. Qin, Tian & Li, Xiaoqian & Long, Hui & Bin, Shizhen & xu, Yong. (2020). Bioactive Tetracalcium Phosphate Scaffolds
thermally stable materials can be used and are Fabricated by Selective Laser Sintering for Bone Regeneration Applications. Materials. 13. 2268. 10.3390/ma13102268.
limited to small pore size. 4. Eltom, A., Zhong, G., & Muhammad, A. (2019, March 7). Scaffold Techniques and Designs in Tissue Engineering
Functions and Purposes: A Review. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering.
2.Removal of excess trapped material is https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/amse/2019/3429527.pdf
5. Kumar, A., & Jacob, A. (2022, April 10). Techniques in scaffold fabrication process for tissue engineering applications:
complex as it remains in powdered form. A review. Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology.
3.Poor control over surface topography
Adriel Braganza
Picture source: Qin, Tian & Li, Xiaoqian & Long, Hui & Bin, Shizhen & xu, Yong. (2020). Bioactive Tetracalcium
Phosphate Scaffolds Fabricated by Selective Laser Sintering for Bone Regeneration Applications. Materials. 13. 2268. Dept No. 22-PBT-007
10.3390/ma13102268.
Loyola College, Chennai