Casting Methods Using Eluting Molds

Many of the extrusion bioprinting technologies that have emerged in recent years require shear-thinning materials, and the process of extrusion can exert unwanted shear stresses on the cells. For certain tissue engineering applications, casting methods have advantages in terms of ease of use and improved cell compatibility. TEB uses a casting technique, termed Eluting Molds, that permits the formation of complex hydrogel structures. Hydrogel precursors are poured into molds, which are themselves hydrogels, and the material crosslinks as ions, enzymes or other crosslinking agents are release from the mold. Using this technique, it is possible to achieve high accuracy and reproducibility while removing some of the main challenges associated with traditional casting techniques.