Bioengineered skeletal muscle tissues benefit from dynamic culture environments which facilitate the appropriate provision of nutrients and removal of cellular waste products. Biologically compatible perfusion systems hold the potential to enhance the physiological biomimicry of in vitro tissues via dynamic culture, in addition to providing technological advances in analytical testing and live cellular imaging for analysis of cellular development. To meet such diverse requirements, perfusion systems require the capacity and adaptability to incorporate multiple cell laden constructs of both monolayer and bioengineered tissues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe integration of additive manufacturing (AM) technology within biological systems holds significant potential, specifically when refining the methods utilized for the creation of in vitro models. Therefore, examination of cellular interaction with the physical/physicochemical properties of 3D-printed polymers is critically important. In this work, skeletal muscle (C C ), neuronal (SH-SY5Y) and hepatic (HepG2) cell lines are utilized to ascertain critical evidence of cellular behavior in response to 3D-printed candidate polymers: Clear-FL (stereolithography, SL), PA-12 (laser sintering, LS), and VeroClear (PolyJet).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of plant based antimicrobial solutions specifically tea tree and Manuka oil on facial silicone elastomers. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of disinfection with plant extract solution on mechanical properties and morphology on the silicone elastomer. Test specimens were subjected to disinfection using tea tree oil, Manuka oil and the bacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study reviewed the current state of maxillofacial rehabilitation in resource-limited nations.
Method: A rigorous literature review was undertaken using several technical and clinical databases using a variety of key words pertinent to maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation and resource-limited areas. In addition, interviews were conducted with researchers, clinicians and prosthetists that had direct experience of volunteering or working in resource-limited countries.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease affecting the joints. Treatment can include immobilisation of the affected joint with a custom-fitting splint, which is typically fabricated by hand from low temperature thermoplastic, but the approach poses several limitations. This study focused on the evaluation, by finite element analysis, of additive manufacturing techniques for wrist splints in order to improve upon the typical splinting approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe review the use of additive manufacturing (AM) as a novel manufacturing technique for the production of milli-scale reactor systems. Five well-developed additive manufacturing techniques: stereolithography (SL), multi-jet modelling (MJM), selective laser melting (SLM), laser sintering (LS) and fused deposition modelling (FDM) were used to manufacture a number of miniaturised reactors which were tested using a range of organic and inorganic reactions.
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