Novel tissue scaffold uses ‘shape memory’ technique to promote tissue regeneration
Researchers from the University of Birmingham (UK) have developed a novel 3D-printed tissue scaffold that possesses ‘shape memory’ – allowing it to conform to irregular spaces and fill soft tissue voids that may occur after trauma or surgery.
Their results were recently published in the journal Nature Communications.
The scaffold has shown promising tissue-healing performance, including the ability to support cell migration, the ‘ingrowth’ of tissues and blood vessel growth. What’s more, the scaffold can degrade harmlessly after promoting tissue regeneration and demonstrated excellent biocompatibility in mouse models.
“The scaffolds have evenly distributed and interconnected pores that allow diffusion of nutrients from surrounding tissues. The shape memory means this structure is retained when the scaffold is implanted into tissues, and this supports the infiltration of cells into the scaffold while encouraging tissue regeneration and revascularisation,” explained Andrew Dove (University of Birmingham), lead author of the study.
Formed from 3D printing resin ‘ink’ known as 4Degra™, the scaffold material possesses a photoinitiator and photoinhibitor. This causes the material to turn into a gel on exposure to light – allowing the scaffold to be printed into a range of patient-specific shapes.
The team tested their invention on mouse models, implanting the scaffold into fat tissue. Promisingly, after 2 months, blood vessel growth was seen as well as infiltration of adipocytes and fibroblasts – indicating normal tissue restoration.
After 4 months the researchers found small, mature blood vessels in the surrounding tissue. At this time, 80% of the scaffold was still present, indicating slow degradation, which is ideal for providing long-lasting support and allowing sufficient time for mature tissue growth.
“3D-printed materials have received a lot of attention in the tissue engineering world. However void-filling materials to provide mechanical support, biocompatibility, and surface erosion characteristics that ensure consistent tissue support during the healing process, and this means a fourth dimension (time) needs to be considered in material design,” concluded Dove.
“We have demonstrated that it’s possible to produce highly porous scaffolds with shape memory, and our processes and materials will enable production of self-fitting scaffolds that take on soft tissue void geometry in a minimally invasive surgery without deforming or applying pressure to the surrounding tissues. Over time, the scaffold erodes with minimal swelling, allowing slow continuous tissue infiltration without mechanical degradation.”
Ref:https://www.regmednet.com/novel-tissue-scaffold-uses-shape-memory-technique-to-promote-tissue-regeneration/
