A Review on 4D Printing Technology in Tissue Engineering

Document Type : compile

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Department of New Technologies/IUST

Abstract

3D-printing or additive manufacturing (AM) attempts to building objects by using computer-controlled layer-by-layer manner. 3D printing plays a essential role in the fabrication of systems utilized in the biomedical field, such as the creation of complex tissue structures and scaffolds, customized drug delivery systems (DDS), and soft robots. 4D-printing is an extended concept of 3D-printing by adding time as a fourth dimension. In other words, this technology makes it possible to change the shape and function of the printed object over time after triggered by stimuli such as temperature, moisture, electrical and magnetic fields, light and pH. 4D printing has shown interesting promise in biotechnology with a great shape control after printing by using stimuli-responsive materials. For example, in tissue engineering the repairing process of tissue was known as a dynamic process and 3D printed structures are ineffective in this dynamic environment, while 4D printing technology, due to its unique features, makes it possible to use scaffolds printed by this method for planting in the intended environment. In this study, the use of stimuli-responsive materials in 4D-printed structures and their attractive applications in tissue engineering have been reviewed.

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