Canadian Biomaterials Society
Société Canadienne des Biomatériaux

Hydrogel-Based Bioinks for Coaxial and Triaxial Bioprinting: A Review of Material Properties, Printing Techniques, and Applications

Journal: Polymers
Authors: Alma Tamunonengiofori Banigo - Laura Nauta
Bram Zoetebier
Marcel Karperien

Three-dimensional bioprinting technology has emerged as a rapidly advancing
multidisciplinary field with significant potential for tissue engineering applications. This
technology enables the formation of complex tissues and organs by utilizing hydrogels,
with or without cells, as scaffolds or structural supports. Among various bioprinting
methods, advanced bioprinting using coaxial and triaxial nozzles stands out as a promising
technique. Coaxial bioprinting technique simultaneously deposits two material streams
through a coaxial nozzle, enabling controlled formation of an outer shell and inner core construct.
In contrast, triaxial bioprinting utilizes three material streams namely the outer shell,
inner shell and inner core to fabricate more complex constructs. Despite the growing interest
in 3D bioprinting, the development of suitable cell-laden bioinks for creating complex
tissues remains unclear. To address this gap, a systematic review was conducted using the
preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) flowchart,
collecting 1621 papers from various databases, includingWeb of Science, PUBMED, SCOPUS,
and Springer Link. After careful selection, 85 research articles focusing on coaxial
and triaxial bioprinting were included in the review. Specifically, 77 research articles concentrated
on coaxial bioprinting and 11 focused on triaxial bioprinting, with 3 covering
both techniques. The search, conducted between 1 April and 30 September 2023, had no
restrictions on publication date, and no meta-analyses were carried out due to the heterogeneity
of studies. The primary objective of this review is to assess and identify the most
commonly occurring cell-laden bioinks critical for successful advancements in bioprinting
technologies. Specifically, the review focuses on delineating the commonly explored
bioinks utilized in coaxial and triaxial bioprinting approaches. It focuses on evaluating the
inherent merits of these bioinks, systematically comparing them while emphasizing their
classifications, essential attributes, properties, and potential limitations within the domain
of tissue engineering. Additionally, the review considers the applications of these bioinks,
offering comprehensive insights into their efficacy and utility in the field of bioprinting
technology. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of some conditions of
the relevant hydrogel bioinks used for coaxial and triaxial bioprinting of tissue constructs.
Future research directions aimed at advancing the field are also briefly discussed.

Year: 2025

Volume: 17

PP: 917