Design and fused deposition modeling of triply periodic minimal surface scaffolds with channels and hydrogel for breast reconstruction

Xiaolong Zhu; Feng Chen; Hong Cao; Ling Li; Ning He; Xiaoxiao Han

doi:10.18063/ijb.685

Design and fused deposition modeling of triply periodic minimal surface scaffolds with channels and hydrogel for breast reconstruction

Int J Bioprint. 2023 Feb 14;9(2):685. doi: 10.18063/ijb.685. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Xiaolong Zhu¹, Feng Chen¹, Hong Cao², Ling Li¹, Ning He¹, Xiaoxiao Han^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ National Engineering Research Center for High-Efficiency Grinding, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China.
² Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China.

Abstract

3D-printed scaffolds that forge a new path for regenerative medicine are widely used in breast reconstruction due to their personalized shape and adjustable mechanical properties. However, the elastic modulus of present breast scaffolds is significantly higher than that of native breast tissue, leading to insufficient stimulation for cell differentiation and tissue formation. In addition, the lack of a tissue-like environment results in breast scaffolds being difficult to promote cell growth. This paper presents a geometrically new scaffold, featuring a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) that ensures structural stability and multiple parallel channels that can modulate elastic modulus as required. The geometrical parameters for TPMS and parallel channels were optimized to obtain ideal elastic modulus and permeability through numerical simulations. The topologically optimized scaffold integrated with two types of structures was then fabricated using fused deposition modeling. Finally, the poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate/gelatin methacrylate hydrogel loaded with human adipose-derived stem cells was incorporated into the scaffold by perfusion and ultraviolet curing for improvement of the cell growth environment. Compressive experiments were also performed to verify the mechanical performance of the scaffold, demonstrating high structural stability, appropriate tissue-like elastic modulus (0.2 - 0.83 MPa), and rebound capability (80% of the original height). In addition, the scaffold exhibited a wide energy absorption window, offering reliable load buffering capability. The biocompatibility was also confirmed by cell live/dead staining assay.

Keywords: Breast reconstruction; Fused deposition modeling; Hydrogel; Scaffold; Triply periodic minimal surface.