Method and device for producing vasculature through extrusion-based 3D printing
A method and device for fabricating vascular networks in for tissue engineering. The vascular network is embedded in a porous scaffold and is created from a sacrificial wax template, according to one embodiment. A extrusion-based three dimensional printer is used to create the template, wherein the printer utilizes an extruder incorporating a mixer to maintain the consistency of the extrudate.
1. A method of fabricating a scaffold having a vascular network comprising:
forming a template using a three-dimensional printer comprising an extruder incorporating a compressible mixer, wherein forming the template comprises:
heating a thermally reversible material to a part-solid/part-liquid state,
mixing the material in the part-solid/part-liquid state using the compressible mixer to obtain a homogenous texture,
extruding the thermally reversible material in the part-solid/part-liquid state using the extruder while continuing mixing, and
cooling the template to a solid state,
wherein the template has a circular cross-sectional profile and has a shape of a vascular network;
suspending the template in a reservoir;
casting a hydrogel solution into the reservoir;
lyophilizing the hydrogel solution to create a porous scaffold,
wherein the template is embedded within the porous scaffold; and
removing the template to create a scaffold having an embedded vascular network.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
crosslinking the scaffold.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the template comprises:
melting the thermally reversible material; and
removing the thermally reversible material under vacuum pressure.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the template forms a barrier between the porous scaffold.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermally reversible material comprises a polyester wax.