This work identifies and describes different material-scaffold geometry combinations for cartilage tissue engineering (CTE). Previously reported potentially interesting scaffold geometries were tuned and printed using bioresorbable polycaprolactone and poly(lactide-b-ethylene) block copolymer. Medical grades of both polymers were 3D printed with fused filament fabrication technology within an ISO 7 classified cleanroom. Resulting scaffolds were then optically, mechanically and biologically tested. Results indicated that a few material-scaffold geometry combinations present potential for excellent cell viability as well as for an enhance of the chondrogenic properties of the cells, hence suggesting their suitability for CTE applications.
Keywords: 3D printing; bioresorbable polymers; cartilage; scaffolds; tissue engineering.
© 2022 IOP Publishing Ltd.