HARRISBURG, Pennysylvania: Researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing materials that mimic the strength and flexibility of human tissue. This innovative technique, known as Continuous-curing after Light Exposure Aided by Redox initiation (CLEAR), was created in collaboration between the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Pennsylvania.
This approach results in materials that possess a unique combination of properties: flexibility to accommodate the heart’s constant beating, toughness to withstand joint pressure, and adaptability to meet specific patient needs.
The researchers aim to use this technology to create advanced biomaterials, such as drug-infused heart bandages, cartilage patches, and needleless sutures. “Cardiac and cartilage tissues have very limited capacity to repair themselves. Once damaged, they can’t be restored. By developing new, more resilient materials to aid in the repair process, we can significantly impact patient outcomes,” said Jason Burdick, the senior author.
Traditional 3D printers create objects layer by layer using various materials, including living cells. While hydrogels are commonly used for making artificial tissues, standard 3D-printed hydrogels often lack the necessary strength and flexibility for medical applications. “Imagine if a rigid plastic were attached to your heart. It wouldn’t flex as your heart beats; it would simply break,” Burdick explained.
The new 3D printing method, CLEAR, produces durable and flexible materials that can adhere to moist tissues. The technique works by interweaving long molecules within the 3D-printed materials, inspired by the complex entanglement found in worms.
The materials developed using this process underwent extensive testing, including stretching, weight-bearing assessments, and even having a bicycle roll over them. The results showed that these materials were significantly tougher than those produced using standard 3D printing methods. Additionally, they demonstrated compatibility and adhesion to animal tissues and organs.
“We can now 3D print adhesive materials strong enough to provide mechanical support to tissues, something that hasn’t been possible before,” said Matt Davidson, co-first author and a research associate in the Burdick Lab.
Burdick and his team envision these 3D-printed materials being used to repair cardiac defects, deliver tissue-healing drugs directly to organs, stabilize herniated discs, and enable surgical closures. This method is also environmentally friendly, as it eliminates the energy-intensive hardening phase usually required in 3D printing.
“This simple 3D processing technique could be utilized in both academic labs and industry to enhance the mechanical properties of materials for a wide range of applications,” stated Abhishek Dhand, the first author and a researcher in the Burdick Lab, in a press release.
The team has filed a preliminary patent and plans to conduct further research to study tissue responses to these materials.
