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Development of a low-cost bioprinter based on a Kossel delta 3D printer platform
  • Sidne Fanucci,
  • Earl Prinsloo
Sidne Fanucci
Rhodes University

Corresponding Author:g13f0202@campus.ru.ac.za

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Earl Prinsloo
Rhodes University
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Abstract

The core of bioprinting related research aims to reduce the gap between ex vivo cell cultures and in vivo cellular tissue models to further its application within the biomedical field. While additive manufacturing is touted as disruptive technology, bioprinter equipment costs exceed limited resource budgets of many research laboratories restricting the scope for further development for biomedical research and potential medical application. In line with this, a relatively low-cost bioprinter (SidneV1) was successfully designed and manufactured using a low-cost, commercially available FDM Delta 3D printer as a prototype base with a successfully custom designed and manufactured micro-extrusion printhead. Printing accuracies assessed were 65% (for width measurements) and 64% (for height measurements). This study aimed to demonstrate a way to achieve low-cost bioprinting and hopefully pave the way for future system modifications and refinements such that this technology becomes more accessible to under-funded research groups around the world. Although these findings are preliminary, further optimization of printing parameters, bioink formulations and sterilization techniques will allow for the engineering of viable, physiologically relevant tissue models using low-cost bioprinting technology.
26 Jul 2022Submitted to Engineering Reports
28 Jul 2022Submission Checks Completed
28 Jul 2022Assigned to Editor
29 Jul 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
01 Dec 20221st Revision Received
05 Dec 2022Submission Checks Completed
05 Dec 2022Assigned to Editor
05 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Dec 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Accept