Additive Manufacturing in Medicine and Tissue Engineering: Plenary Talk

Nowadays, additive manufacturing otherwise known as three-dimensional (3D) printing is fully implemented into the production of hard tissue replacements. Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement together with Biomedical Engineering company designed and produced more than 300 implants made of Ti64 ELI titanium alloy using additive technologies, which were subsequently implanted by surgeons worldwide. 3D printing of PEEK, bioceramic and magnesium alloys implants is recently tested to offer alternative materials to titanium for cranioplasties or biodegradable impalnts. 3D bioprinting is being applied to regenerative medicine to address the need for tissues and organs suitable for transplantation. Compared with non-biological printing, 3D bioprinting involves additional complexities, such as the choice of materials, cell types, growth and differentiation factors, and technical challenges related to the sensitivities of living cells and the construction of tissues. The 3D bioplotter was used to prepare tubular structures made of PLA + PHB polymer for substitutes of human urethra. Tubular structures were tested from geometrical point of view to assure required precision, repeatability and possibility to print porous structures for application of epithelial and muscle cells and their growth. Several studies on PEEK spinal implants manufactured by 3D printing were realized, where mechanical testing, simulations and testing of biocompatibility were implemented. Presented research covers selected case studies of patient specific implants made by additive manufacturing and research in medical 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering.