Three-dimensional printing of a sucrose scaffold based on pneumatic control:relevant technological parameters / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The sucrose is an ideal material for auxiliary support and mold fil ing that is suitable for application in the medical field with three-dimensional (3D) printing. In China, there are many studies about the 3D printing with sucrose, but the accuracy and porosity of the stent are stil unclear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the technological parameters of the sucrose scaffold by 3D printing technology. METHODS: From the perspective of physical and chemical properties, the sucrose viscosity and thermal decomposition with the change of temperature were analyzed. Based on the pneumatic controlled FDM technology, the mature sucrose scaffold was obtained by researching the match of temperature and pressure, layer setting, as wel as the match of speed and pressure. Then the scaffold was demarcated with microscope, and the porosity was measured by immersion in absolute ethyl alcohol. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The sucrose was completely melted at 180 oC, with the biggest liquidity. When the temperature was over 195 oC, the caramel reaction occurred. As the temperature increased, the sucrose viscosity decreased. The optimal molding parameters of the sucrose scaffold with pneumatic control-based 3D printing were 170 oC-0.2 MPa-12 mm/s (temperature-pressure-printing speed). The line width and mean porosity of the wel -shaped sucrose scaffold were 700 μm and 81.893%, respectively.