Fabrication of Stacked-Ring Netted Tubular Constructs Via 3D-Template Electrohydrodynamic Printing

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing is an emerging additive manufacturing process which provides several opportunities for advanced fiber patterning and alignment. In this study, stacked-ring netted tubular constructs were printed using controlled EHD fiber deposition. To achieve this, a modified EHD system was developed which integrated air and heating moduli, in addition to a 3D cylindrical collector. The impact of additional peripheral components was evident through enhanced solidification of as-formed polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer fiber prints, which further enabled fabrication of stacked PCL fiber rings. Subsequently, stacked-ring netted tubular constructs (via x-axis deposition manipulation) were fabricated. Electric-field simulations were used to elucidate construct formation mechanism. The modified printing system provides much needed control on fiber deposition and solidification; enabling integration of essential bio-interface features and morphologies (e.g. tissue structure and surface mimicry) for advanced 3D biomaterial engineering.