Stereolithographic 3D Printing of Bioceramic Scaffolds of a Given Shape and Architecture for Bone Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Abstract—A standard series of ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration with Kelvin architecture was developed, providing matrix water permeability not less than 900 Darcy and relative rigidity of matrices of not more than 0.2. The possibility of producing bioceramic scaffolds is shown using stereolithographic 3D printing of light-cured slurries containing a mixed calcium sodium phosphate Ca_2.5Na(PO₄)₂ composition. A production technology of bioceramic scaffolds is developed and tested, including the development of photocurable slurries; 3D printing modes are also worked out, as well as conditions of heat treatment of printed models and sintering. The proposed methods of stereolithography formation followed by heat treatment of printed models make it possible to produce ceramic scaffolds with lateral resolution no worse than 50 μm and 50 μm layering. The dimensions of the bioceramic scaffold differ from the reference dimensions of the initial model by no more than 10%; the degree of macroporosity is not less than 70% and the pore size is 500 μm. It is shown that the obtained bioceramic scaffolds are compatible with the human fibroblast cell culture, are not cytotoxic, do not contain components inhibiting fibroblast adhesion, spreading, and proliferation, and can be used in tissue engineering.