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. 2021 Jun 8;14(12):3149. doi: 10.3390/ma14123149

Table 2.

The most popular 3D TE Scaffolds fabrication techniques—applications, advantages, and disadvantages.

Method Applications Advantages Disadvantages
Bioprinting
  • -

    scaffolds manufacturing [71]

  • -

    hydrogels [72]

  • -

    tissue engineering [73,74]

  • -

    cell growth [75]
  • -

    prints viable cells

  • -

    soft tissue applications
  • -

    requires support structures

  • -

    nozzle limitations

  • -

    must be not cytotoxic during process
Extrusion-based methods

  • pharmaceuticals [76,77]

  • scaffold manufacturing [78]

  • bone tissue engineering [79]

  • cardiovascular medical devices [80]
  • -

    low cytotoxicity

  • -

    low cost [81]

  • -

    inexpensive printers
  • -

    only thermoplastics materials [82]

  • -

    low resolution [81]

  • -

    non-biodegradable materials can be used

  • -

    post-processing
Indirect methods (Selective Laser Sintering; Stereolitography)
  • -

    pharmaceutical [83]

  • -

    biomedical manufacturing [84,85]

  • -

    bone tissue engineering [86,87]

  • -

    pharmaceutical [76]

  • -

    drug delivery [88]
  • -

    high mechanical properties

  • -

    SLS: powder supporting the structure

  • -

    high resolution

  • -

    smooth surface

  • -

    short time of the process
  • -

    photo-sensitive materials

  • -

    expensive

  • -

    support systems in case of very complicated structures