Development of dynamic masking rapid prototyping system for application in tissue engineering

Abstract

Purpose

In order to manufacture scaffolds for tissue engineering, a dynamic mask rapid prototyping system to cure UV‐curable biodegradable material was developed. The aim of this paper is to document this system.

Design/methodology/approach

A digital micro‐mirror device (DMD) was used as the dynamic mask generator, with each layer's mask pattern dictated by our self‐developed software. To build the scaffolds, UV light reflected by the DMD was then focused onto the biodegradable material to cure it. The biodegradable material used in this experiment was a mixture of 85/15 PLGA, PEG‐HEMA, and a photo‐initiator.

Findings

The dynamic mask rapid prototyping system was successfully built and scaffolds made of UV‐curable biodegradable material were fabricated to verify the system capacity. The working exposure time for each layer was 45 s except for the first layer, which was 60 s. Scaffolds with 0°/90° and 60°/120° strips in alternating layers were fabricated and the pore size error in X and Y axes of 0°/90° design was found to be 7.33 and 2.13 percent, respectively. Preliminary cell culture tests indicate the fabricated scaffold is not harmful to MG‐63 cell growth.

Research limitations/implications

Different scaffold designs and more UV‐curable biodegradable materials may be further implemented and tested through this system.

Originality/value

This research developed a novel system for tissue engineering scaffold fabrication which can process UV‐curable biodegradable material.

Citation

Cheng, Y. and Lee, M. (2009), "Development of dynamic masking rapid prototyping system for application in tissue engineering", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 29-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552540910925045