Improving cell viability and velocity in µ-extrusion bioprinting with a novel pre-incubator bioprinter and a standard FDM 3D printing nozzle

Abstract

Bioprinting is a promising emerging technology. It has been widely studied by the scientific community for the possibility to create transplantable artificial tissues, with minimal risk to the patient. Although the biomaterials and cells to be used are being carefully studied, there is still a long way to go before a bioprinter can easily and quickly produce printings without harmful effects on the cells. In this sense, we have developed a new µ-extrusion bioprinter formed by an Atom Proton 3D printer, an atmospheric enclosure and a new extrusion-head capable to increment usual printing velocity. Hence, this work has two main objectives. First, to experimentally study the accuracy and precision. Secondly, to study the influence of flow rates on cellular viability using this novel µ-extrusion bioprinter in combination with a standard FDM 3D printing nozzle. Our results show an X, Y and Z axis movement accuracy under 17 µm with a precision around 12 µm while the extruder values are under 5 and 7 µm, respectively. Additionally, the cell viability obtained from different volumetric flow tests varies from 70 to 90%. So, the proposed bioprinter and nozzle can control the atmospheric conditions and increase the volumetric flow speeding up the bioprinting process without compromising the cell viability.