Direct Ink Writing of Polycaprolactone/Hydroxyapatite-based Scaffolds Loaded with Vancomycin for Bone Repair

Description

The presentation begins with Bin Zhang introducing the topic of their research, focusing on the development of polycaprolactone (PCL) hydroxyapatite-based scaffolds. These scaffolds are designed for bone repair and are loaded with vancomycin, an antibiotic. Bin explains that direct ink writing (DIW) is a promising 3D printing technique that allows accurate deposition of biomaterials in a temperature-sensitive manner, crucial for tissue engineering applications. The challenges in creating inks for DIW using water-insoluble PCL are acknowledged, but efforts have been made to formulate a biochem ink consisting of PCL and hydroxyapatite that can be effectively used in scaffold fabrication.



Throughout the presentation, Bin details the methods utilized in formulating the inks and the subsequent printing process, including the evaluation of various properties of the printed scaffolds. Key findings show that a higher concentration of hydroxyapatite improves ink recovery and leads to scaffolds with superior mechanical properties. Furthermore, Bin evaluates the scaffold's 3D structure, shape fidelity, and filament waste, noting the improvements achieved by adjusting hydroxyapatite concentrations.



In terms of drug release and antimicrobial activity, the results indicate that scaffolds loaded with higher concentrations of vancomycin exhibit better antibacterial properties. Bin concludes with potential future applications of the developed inks in crafting complex tissue structures that match host tissue requirements, emphasizing the need for further preclinical testing and in-vitro assessments.



The discussion then transitions to the Q&A section, where Bin responds to questions regarding the next steps in research, focusing on the biological regenerative properties of the scaffolds and plans for further studies on antibiotic efficacy with additional drug types.

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