Changchun Zhou, Ph.D.
Associate professor, National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University
changchunzhou@scu.edu.cn
Biography:
Changchun Zhou received a PhD degree from Sichuan University in 2011, he was a joint PhD student at the University of Washington (2008-2009) and the University of Texas at Austin (2009-2010). He joined the National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University in 2011. He is now an associate professor of Sichuan University and master's tutor in Biomedical Engineering. He is a member of China society of biological materials, member of the first China medical and biological technology association 3D printing technology branch (2016-), member of the second session of biological manufacturing engineering branch of China mechanical engineering society (2017-). He is an Associate editor of Bio-Design and Manufacturing ISSN: 2096-5524 (Print) 2522-8552 (Online) , an editorial board member of Nanotechnology Reviews, ISSN: 2191-9089.
His research interests cover Biomaterials and artificial organs; 3D printing or biofabrication of bone tissue scaffolds (porous bioceramics). He involved in the EU "Horizon" 2020 program, ministry of science and technology support "five-year plan", the ministry of science and technology research (National key R&D special projects of the ministry of science and technology 2018 YFB1105602), National natural funds of China, and many other national/ministry projects. He has published more than 40 scientific papers, more than 30 papers were been the first author or the corresponding author. He has applied 20+ Chinese national patents, among of which 10 patents have been authorized.
Topic title: 3D Printing of CaP Bioceramic with Biomimic Porosity for Personalized Skull Reconstruction
Abstract:
Cranial reconstruction in children requires personalized sizing and biodegradable implants that help reconstruct of bone tissue. Porous calcium phosphate (Ca-P) bioceramic has attracted tremendous attention with its excellent biological function and osteoinduction ability. It acts as scaffolds for cells able to make self-adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and regeneration of bone tissues [1]. However, it is not easy to accurately fabricate biomimic macro/micro- hierarchical porous architectures in the bioceramics. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies shows better ability to control the porosity of the scaffolds. By using the 3D printing technologies, it is very easy to control the composition and the porous structure of varied bone tissue scaffolds [2].
The printing ink was prepared by mixing PVB, Calcium phosphate powders and ethanol in a ratio of 3.6:32:32. The ink was continuously stirred in open environment to maintain powders distribution and increase the viscosity by solvent evaporation until ideal viscosity for 3D printing. The scaffolds (3DS) were prepared by an inkjet 3D printing device (ALPHA-BP11, Beijing Sunp Biotech). The printing inks were prepared by calcium phosphate powders. The model of the specimen was generated by 3D molding software. The inner pore sizes were designed by slicing software. Printing strategy adopted orthogonal porous structure mode.
This study designed Beagle personalized skull defect repair to procedure the actual surgical application. Fig. 1 showed the in vivo experimental animal. After 8 weeks of implantation, the experimental animals were scanned by CT technique and the 3D model was reconstructed. The 3DP implants well integrated with the surrounding tissue. The implants showed certain bone regeneration ability, by using the 3D printing technology, the biomimic porous structures and phase composition of the scaffold can be well controlled. The 3D printed CaP ceramic with required geometry and size are good for developing patient-tailored implants..
Fig.1 3D Printing of CaP bioceramic for personalized skull reconstruction. (a) Skull model of the objective animal (two cycle defects with a diameter of 15 mm). (b) After 8 weeks, CT images and (c) scaffolds histological section image.
References
[1] Zhou C.C., Ye X.J., Zhang X.D. et, al. Biomimetic fabrication of a three-level hierarchical calcium phosphate/collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffold for bone tissue engineering. Biofabrication, 2014,(6):035013-25.
[2] H. Shao, Y. He, et.al., Z. Gou, 3D printing magnesium-doped wollastonite/β-TCP bioceramics scaffolds with high strength and adjustable degradation, Journal of the European Ceramic Society 36(6) (2016) 1495-1503.
