Hybrid PCL/hydrogel scaffold fabrication and in-process plasma treatment using PABS

Abstract

A key challenge in tissue engineering is the fabrication of synthetic scaffolds with adequate chemical, physical and biological cues. This paper describes a novel plasma-assisted bioextrusion system (PABS) to produce functional-gradient scaffolds. It comprises two pressureassisted and a screw-assisted printing head and plasma jets. Hybrid scaffolds consisting of a synthetic biopolymer and a natural hydrogel, and full-layer N2 plasma modified polymeric scaffolds were produced to assess the system. Water contact angle and in vitro biological tests confirm that the plasma modification alters the hydrophilicity properties of synthetic polymers and promotes proliferation of cells, leading to homogeneous cell colonization. It is also demonstrated the capability to produce multi-material structures. The results suggest that PABS is a promising system for the fabrication of functionally-graded scaffolds.