The present study provides a comprehensive exploration of the process of transforming a conventional 3D printer into a specialized platform for extruding bioinks, aimed at applications in tissue engineering. It focuses on the development, adaptation, and evaluation of the device, encompassing significant modifications at both the hardware and firmware levels to enable the precise and controlled deposition of bioinks via a syringe-based extruder. Throughout the document, fundamental concepts are discussed as well as the application of advanced bioprinting techniques, analyzing their respective advantages and limitations in terms of precision, speed, cost, and material compatibility. On the hardware side, this study details the replacement of the conventional extrusion system, originally designed for thermoplastic filaments, with a syringe-based system controlled by a stepper motor, along with all the necessary adaptations for the proper functioning of the system. Complementarily, adjustments in the firmware are explained, including the recalibration of motor steps and the implementation of custom scripts to manage critical events. Finally, the study presents an exhaustive analysis of parameters to evaluate the device’s performance, highlighting aspects such as the final device dimensions, the vibrations generated during operation, the material flow through the extruder, the versatility in changing syringes, the robustness of the support structure, and the achieved precision. Each of these indicators is quantified and compared in tables, providing a synthesized view of the overall system behavior.

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Development and Evaluation of a 3D Bioprinter: Conversion of a Conventional Extrusion System into a Bioink Extrusion Device for Tissue Engineering Applications

  • Federico Tomás Rosales

摘要

The present study provides a comprehensive exploration of the process of transforming a conventional 3D printer into a specialized platform for extruding bioinks, aimed at applications in tissue engineering. It focuses on the development, adaptation, and evaluation of the device, encompassing significant modifications at both the hardware and firmware levels to enable the precise and controlled deposition of bioinks via a syringe-based extruder. Throughout the document, fundamental concepts are discussed as well as the application of advanced bioprinting techniques, analyzing their respective advantages and limitations in terms of precision, speed, cost, and material compatibility. On the hardware side, this study details the replacement of the conventional extrusion system, originally designed for thermoplastic filaments, with a syringe-based system controlled by a stepper motor, along with all the necessary adaptations for the proper functioning of the system. Complementarily, adjustments in the firmware are explained, including the recalibration of motor steps and the implementation of custom scripts to manage critical events. Finally, the study presents an exhaustive analysis of parameters to evaluate the device’s performance, highlighting aspects such as the final device dimensions, the vibrations generated during operation, the material flow through the extruder, the versatility in changing syringes, the robustness of the support structure, and the achieved precision. Each of these indicators is quantified and compared in tables, providing a synthesized view of the overall system behavior.