Objective: To review recent literature on three-dimensional (3-D) plotting as a rapid prototyping method for the manufacturing of patient specific biomaterial scaffolds and tissue engineering constructs.
Methods: Literature review and description of own recent work.
Results: In contrast to many other rapid prototyping technologies which can be used only for the processing of distinct materials, 3-D plotting can be utilized for all pasty biomaterials and therefore opens up many new options for the manufacturing of bi- or multiphasic scaffolds or even tissue engineering constructs, containing e. g. living cells.
Conclusion: 3-D plotting is a rapid prototyping technology of growing importance which provides flexibility concerning choice of material and allows integration of sensitive biological components.