(777i) 3D Printed Polymer-Based Bio-Inspired Neural Systems

Polymers are critical materials for the design of biomedical devices and physiological models of biological systems. Additive manufacturing now provides the ability to process biocompatible polymers into complex geometries for a variety of biological applications. However, the design of functional and higher order scaffolds and platforms for regeneration and modeling of the nervous system requires the ability to interweave multiple polymers into bio-inspired architectures. Here, we address the manufacturing of multi-functional anatomical scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration and in vitro platforms for modeling higher order pathophysiological responses in the nervous system via a novel multi-material microextrusion-based 3D printing process. Printing of polymers with disparate material properties is discussed with a focus on critical polymer properties, such as polymer rheological properties, melting temperature, and gelation temperature. The integration of multiple polymers into bio-inspired architectures, including elastomers, thermoplastics, and hydrogels, will be discussed. The manufacturing process is also compatible with the 3D printing of neuronal and non-neuronal cells at high viability. 3D structured-light scanning is used to construct anatomical models of peripheral nerve that inform the programming of path information for scaffold printing. Ultimately, polymer-based additive manufacturing appears poised as a unique processing approach for the design and manufacturing of novel multi-functional microphysiological neural systems.