Optimizing Printhead Design for Enhanced Temperature Control in Extrusion-Based Bioprinting

Abstract

This study addresses critical challenges in the field of tissue engineering, specifically in the optimization of bioprinting technologies for the construction of complex, multicellular tissues. By utilizing a homemade piston-driven extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB) printhead, we performed detailed thermal and flow analyses to investigate the effects of temperature variations on the extrusion process of temperature-sensitive gelatin-alginate bioink. Through finite element method (FEM) simulations, we explored the temperature distribution within the printhead and its impact on bioink properties, such as viscosity, pressure, and shear stress. Key findings reveal significant temperature gradients from the printhead barrel to the nozzle tip, influencing bioink extrusion and filament morphology. This study further introduces an innovative hardware optimization with thermal insulators, designed to mitigate heat loss at the nozzle tip and ensure uniform temperature distribution. Both simulation and empirical printing experiments confirm the efficacy of thermal insulators in enhancing bioprinting fidelity and efficiency. This research contributes to the advancement of bioprinting technology by optimizing printhead design, with implications for improving the quality of bioprinted tissues and organs.