Table 1.
Comparison of the different bioprinting principles
| Metric | Extrusion | Inkjet | VAT photo-polymerization | Laser-assisted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advantages | Versatility | Low cost, modification of 2D inkjet printers | Nozzle free, high resolution, crosslinking larger surface area at the same time | Nozzle free, high resolution |
| Disadvantages | Mechanical damage at the nozzle, low resolution | Mechanical damage at the nozzle | Not versatile | Metallic residues from energy absorbing layer |
| Speed | Slow | Fast | Fast | Medium |
| Resolution, µm | > 100 | 50 | 5 | 1–10 |
| Cell viability, % | 40–80 | > 85 | 85 | > 90 |
| Viscosity, mPa s−1 | 30 − 6 × 107 | 3.5–12 | No limitation | 1–3001 |
| Biomaterials | Alginate, gellangum, hyaluronic acid, agarose, PEG | Alginate, PEG | Hyaluronic acid | Collagen |
| Cost | Low to medium | Low | Low | High |
| References | [2, 17, 18, 60–65] | [29, 38, 66–69] | [5, 41, 42, 70] | [12, 20, 54, 59, 71, 72] |