Integrated 3D bioprinting-based geometry-control strategy for fabricating corneal substitutes.

Bin Zhang; Qian Xue; Han-yi HU; Meng-fei YU; Lei Gao; Yi-chen Luo; Yang LI; Jin-tao LI; Liang MA; Yu-feng Yao; Hua-yong Yang

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Integrated 3D bioprinting-based geometry-control strategy for fabricating corneal substitutes.

Author: Bin ZHANG ¹ ; Qian XUE ¹ ; Han-Yi HU ² ; Meng-Fei YU ³ ; Lei GAO ¹ ; Yi-Chen LUO ¹ ; Yang LI ¹ ; Jin-Tao LI ¹ ; Liang MA ¹ ; Yu-Feng YAO ² ; Hua-Yong YANG ¹
Author Information

1. State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power & Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
2. Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
3. The Affiliated Stomatologic Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: 3D bioprinting; Corneal alternative; Digital light processing (DLP); Extrusion; Geometry-control
MeSH: Artificial Organs; Bioprinting; Cornea/cytology*; Humans; Models, Theoretical; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Tensile Strength; Tissue Engineering/methods*; Tissue Scaffolds
From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2019;20(12):945-959
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: BACKGROUND:The shortage of donor corneas is a severe global issue, and hence the development of corneal alternatives is imperative and urgent. Although attempts to produce artificial cornea substitutes by tissue engineering have made some positive progress, many problems remain that hamper their clinical application worldwide. For example, the curvature of tissue-engineered cornea substitutes cannot be designed to fit the bulbus oculi of patients.
OBJECTIVE:To overcome these limitations, in this paper, we present a novel integrated three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting-based cornea substitute fabrication strategy to realize design, customized fabrication, and evaluation of multi-layer hollow structures with complicated surfaces.
METHODS:The key rationale for this method is to combine digital light processing (DLP) and extrusion bioprinting into an integrated 3D cornea bioprinting system. A designable and personalized corneal substitute was designed based on mathematical modelling and a computer tomography scan of a natural cornea. The printed corneal substitute was evaluated based on biomechanical analysis, weight, structural integrity, and fit.
RESULTS:The results revealed that the fabrication of high water content and highly transparent curved films with geometric features designed according to the natural human cornea can be achieved using a rapid, simple, and low-cost manufacturing process with a high repetition rate and quality.
CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrated the feasibility of customized design, analysis, and fabrication of a corneal substitute. The programmability of this method opens up the possibility of producing substitutes for other cornea-like shell structures with different scale and geometry features, such as the glomerulus, atrium, and oophoron.