Anthony Melchiorri,
,
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
My work investigates the development of biomaterial strategies for the vascular applications. Previous published studies have examined the use of polymeric biofelt grafts, chemical surface modification of vascular grafts, and biodegradable vascular graft characterization. Recent efforts have examined 3D printing techniques and biomaterials designed for regenerative medicine and cardiovascular applications.
Three Dimensional Printing of Biodegradable Cardiovascular Biomaterials
Tuesday, 10 February 2015 at 15:30
Add to Calendar ▼2015-02-10 15:30:002015-02-10 16:30:00Europe/LondonThree Dimensional Printing of Biodegradable Cardiovascular BiomaterialsSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
Rapid advances in three dimensional (3D) printing, whether based on
extrusion or lithography, are bringing the technology closer to clinical
use in tissue engineering. 3D printing allows for precise bulk
geometry and interior architecture control. Based upon material
selection, the resolution of the interior and bulk geometry can
typically range from 25 µm to 100 µm. Using 3D printing, we have
developed biodegradable scaffolds with custom pore sizes. These
scaffolds have been non-destructively analyzed with microcomputed
tomography to calculate changes in scaffold pore size, porosity, and
wall thickness during a 16 week degradation study. One potential
clinical application of 3D printing is for the treatment of
cardiovascular diseases, through which outcomes may be drastically
improved with custom fabrication of patient-specific grafts. Current
clinical strategies rely upon surgeons constructing tailor-made implants
during surgery with generic grafts. Advancements in imaging
technologies, such as MRI and CT, allow for the production of
high-quality 3D images from which patient-specific grafts and implants
can be generated prior to surgery. To this end, we have formulated a
poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) based resin to 3D print vascular features
with mechanical properties similar to native blood vessels. The grafts
support the growth of vascular cells in vitro and support good
neotissue formation after one and three months in vivo. Further, these
grafts may be modified with biomolecules, such as VEGF, so as to recruit
and mobilize endothelial cell populations and thus quicken graft
endothelialization.
Add to Calendar ▼2015-02-09 00:00:002015-02-10 00:00:00Europe/LondonEmerging Themes and Technologies in Tissue Engineering and BioprintingSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
Add to Calendar ▼2015-02-10 15:30:002015-02-10 16:30:00Europe/LondonThree Dimensional Printing of Biodegradable Cardiovascular BiomaterialsSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
