Research On 3D Printing Of Hydrogel Microfluidic Network

3D printing technology is a rapid prototyping technology which use stacking principle. Compared with other rapid prototyping technology, high precision and high velocity is the most obvious advantages of 3D printing, which is widely used in orthopedics, stomatology and tissue engineering.3D printing provide the theoretical foundation and technical support of the build of cells and organs in vitro. The key technology is inclusion of blood-vessellike channels between layers to support cell viability, postprinting functionality in terms of nutrient transport, and waste removal, which has important implications for multi-celled printing.In this research, we developed a novel and effective method to print gel channels and designed a new three dimensional platform combined with the principle of hydrogel formation. An experimental investigation into the influence on mouse fibroblast cell survival, and the function of printing parameters during and after the printing process were presented. The main work of this research includes:(l)During the printing process, design of the three dimensional platform is one of the most important parts of this research. Based on the experimental results, we adopted syringe pump system rather than air pump system. Besides, the experimental platform consisted of a coaxial nozzle, a motion unit and image analysis module.(2) Printed hollow hydrogel tube according to the reaction principle of sodium alginate and calcium chloride. In vitro evaluation of printed hydrogel tube was performed to characterize the effect of concentration and perfuse speed on the size of the hydrogel tube.(3) Printed cylindrical and grid hydrogel microfluidics to evaluate the effect of different number of layers on the stability and properties of the three dimensional hydrogel structures. Analyzed the properties of the hydrogel structures printed to seek the application in the microchannel.(4) Verified the feasibility of cell hydrogel microfluidic print. Printed cell hydrogel microfluidic with the mixture of mouse fibroblast cell and sodium alginate. Cell viability in the hydrogel microfluidics were assessed and discussed. Our results demonstrated the capability of direct fabrication of cell-laden hydrogel microfluidic by our newly designed assembly.