2025-04-30

Biphasic osteochondral scaffold fabrication using multi-material mask projection stereolithography

Rapid Prototyping Journal

Purpose – This study aims to develop a multi-material stereolithography (MMSL) technique to directly fabricate a biphasic osteochondral scaffold.
Design/methodology/approach –A bespoke prototype MMSL system was developed based on a bottom-up mask projection approach. The system was controlled by a multi-material fabrication algorithm with minimum switching numbers during fabrication. The method of variable power for the light source was used to fabricate materials with significantly different curing characteristics. The light-curable PEGDA hydrogel and β-TCP ceramic suspension were used for fabricating the biphasic osteochondral scaffold.
Findings –The bonding strength of the multi-material interface is shown to be mainly affected by the type of photopolymer, rather than the switching of the materials in MMSL. Lighting power densities of 2.64 and 14.98 mW/cm2 were used for curing the PEGDA hydrogel and the β-TCP ceramic suspension, respectively. A biphasic osteochondral scaffold with a complex interface was successfully fabricated.
Originality/value –This study proposes a potential technical method—MMSL—for manufacturing a complex biphasic osteochondral scaffold comprising a PEGDA hydrogel/β-TCP ceramic composite in a time-efficient and precise manner. The designed bone-cartilage scaffold interface and the surface of the cartilage scaffold can be precisely manufactured.

Wu XQ, Lian Q*, Li DC, Jin ZM

No

2017-09-19