Biodegradable Nano-Material Composites for Use in an Inkjet Printing System
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0921-T06-05
Biodegradable Nano-Material Composites for Use in an Inkjet Printing System Nicole H Levi1,2, John B. McGuirt1, Faith M. Coldren1, and David L. Carroll1 1 Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials, Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27109 2 Virginia Tech & Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, Winston-Salem, 27109
ABSTRACT Biomaterials for development of resorbable, three-dimensional tissue scaffolds have been used in a modified thermal inkjet printing system to explore compatibility of materials, solvents and the printing system. The polymers included collagen (type I), sodium alginate, fibronectin, poly-lactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and tetraglycol were tested. Single-walled carbon nanotubes were combined with the biopolymers to determine systems in which they would blend well, and be printable. Discovering which biopolymers may be printed together offers insight into development of materials which most closely match the properties of biological tissue. INTRODUCTION Thermal inkjet printing has been proven to be a viable technique for the development of tissue replacements by recent authors (1). Other avenues explored using inkjet technology include the use of printed nanoparticle or polymeric systems for quick fabrication of optical and electrical devices (2). However, knowledge about how to print a polymer system simultaneously with cells or nanotubes has not yet come about. Although inkjet printing is a good option for specific placements of scaffolding components, there can be significant limitations when used with a polymeric system, including clogging, solution viscosities, and solvent incompatibilities. Furthermore, the choice of biopolymer should depend upon future interactions with cellular systems (i.e., is the material structurally supportive and porous to allow cell proliferation, and are the solvents compatible with the cells?). Carbon nanotubes may offer an interesting prospect for electrical stimulation of printed cells within the matrix. It has been shown that certain cell types adhere and proliferate well when cultured on carbon nanotubes (3), and that electrical stimulation is beneficial for cell proliferation and production of extracellular matrix proteins (4). Based on these ideas, the concept of printing a resorbable biopolymer/ nanotube composite is reasonable, since the addition of carbon nanotubes offers such unique advantages. Thermal inkjet methods involve a resistive plate which generates enough heat to vaporize a bubble of print solution which, in turn pushes some of the print solution out through the nozzle and onto the waiting substrate (5). Some potential problems which may be incurred in printing using the thermal method include damage to the polymer at local hot spots and aggregation of nanotubes dispersed in the polymers.
Resorbable biopolymers used for tissue replacement include collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, alginates, and polylactic and polyglycolic acid blends.
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