This volume details protocols encompassing different aspects of computer aided design and manufacturing of 3D scaffolds and biofabricated constructs for tissue engineering applications. Chapters are divided into four parts covering optimization of scaffold architectures for computer aided tissue engineering, synthetic routes to biomaterials compatible, technological platforms and manufacturing processes, and relevant applicative scenarios. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Computer-Aided Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols aims to be useful for new and experienced laboratory researchers working on different aspects of corneal regeneration.

The recent revolution in the biological sciences and bioengineering, along with the advancements of modern design and manufacturing, biomaterials, biology, and biomedicine, have brought about the new field of computer-aided tissue engineering. Advances in this fascinating new area of study encompass broad applications in large-scale tissue engineering fabrication, artificial organs, orthopaedic implants, and biological chips. Computer-Aided Tissue Engineering highlights the interdisciplinary nature of this topic and reviews the current state of computer-aided three-dimensional tissue modeling, tissue classification, and tissue fabrication and implantation. Particular focus is placed on rapid prototyping and direct digital fabrication for cell and organs, construction of tissue analogs, and precursors to 3D tissue scaffolds. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series, this work provides the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results. Current and practical, Computer-Aided Tissue Engineering provides a coherent framework for researchers interested in these vital technologies and for clinicians who plan to implement them.

This volume focuses on the biomechanical modeling of biological tissues in the context of Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS). More specifically, deformable soft tissues are addressed since they are the subject of the most recent developments in this field. The pioneering works on this CAS topic date from the 1980's, with applications in orthopaedics and biomechanical models of bones. More recently, however, biomechanical models of soft tissues have been proposed since most of the human body is made of soft organs that can be deformed by the surgical gesture. Such models are much more complicated to handle since the tissues can be subject to large deformations (non-linear geometrical framework) as well as complex stress/strain relationships (non-linear mechanical framework). Part 1 of the volume presents biomechanical models that have been developed in a CAS context and used during surgery. This is particularly new since most of the soft tissues models already proposed concern Computer Assisted Planning, with a pre-operative use of the models. Then, the volume addresses the two key issues raised for an intra-operative use of soft tissues models, namely (Part 2) “how to estimate the in vivo mechanical behavior of the tissues?” (i.e. what are the values of the mechanical parameters that can deliver realistic patient-specific behavior?) and (Part 3) “how to build a modeling platform that provides generic real-time (or at least interactive-time) numerical simulations?”

This book describes the state of the art on computational modeling and fabrication in Tissue Engineering. It is inspired by the ECCOMAS thematic conference, the European Committee on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences, on Tissue Engineering, held in Lisbon, Portugal, June 2-4, 2011. Tissue Engineering is a multidisciplinary field involving scientists from different fields. The development of mathematical methods is quite relevant to understand cell biology and human tissues as well to model, design and fabricate optimized and smart scaffolds. Emphasis is put on mathematical and computational modeling for scaffold design and fabrication. This particular area of tissue engineering, whose goal is to obtain substitutes for hard tissues such as bone and cartilage, is growing in importance.

This new volume on applications and advances in tissue engineering presents significant, state-of-the-art developments in this exciting area of research. It highlights some of the most important applied research on the applications of tissue engineering along with its different components, specifically different types of biomaterials. It looks at the various issues involved in tissue engineering, including smart polymeric biomaterials, gene therapy, tissue engineering in reconstruction and regeneration of visceral organs, skin tissue engineering, bone and muscle regeneration, and applications in tropical medicines. Covering a wide range of issues in tissue engineering, the volume Provides an overview of the efficacy of the different biomaterials employed in tissue engineering (such as skin regeneration, nerve regeneration, artificial blood vessels, bone regeneration). Looks at smart polymeric biomaterials in tissue engineering Discusses the hybrid approach of tissue engineering in conjunction with gene therapy Explores using tissue engineering in the management of tropical diseases Considers various skin tissue engineering applications, including wound healing methods, skin substitutes and other materials Reports on the use of various biomaterials in bone and muscle regeneration Describes the use of tissue engineering in reconstruction and regeneration of visceral organs Covers polysaccharides and proteins-based hydrogels for tissue engineering applications Providing an abundance of advanced research and information, Tissue Engineering: Applications and Advancements will be a valuable resource for medical researchers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare personnel, and academicians.

This volume provides an in-depth introduction to 3D printing and biofabrication and covers the recent advances in additive manufacturing for tissue engineering. The book is divided into two parts, the first part on 3D printing discusses conventional approaches in additive manufacturing aimed at fabrication of structures, which are seeded with cells in a subsequent step. The second part on biofabrication presents processes which integrate living cells into the fabrication process.

Essentials of 3D Biofabrication and Translation discusses the techniques that are making bioprinting a viable alternative in regenerative medicine. The book runs the gamut of topics related to the subject, including hydrogels and polymers, nanotechnology, toxicity testing, and drug screening platforms, also introducing current applications in the cardiac, skeletal, and nervous systems, and organ construction. Leaders in clinical medicine and translational science provide a global perspective of the transformative nature of this field, including the use of cells, biomaterials, and macromolecules to create basic building blocks of tissues and organs, all of which are driving the field of biofabrication to transform regenerative medicine. - Provides a new and versatile method to fabricating living tissue - Discusses future applications for 3D bioprinting technologies, including use in the cardiac, skeletal, and nervous systems, and organ construction - Describes current approaches and future challenges for translational science - Runs the gamut of topics related to the subject, from hydrogels and polymers to nanotechnology, toxicity testing, and drug screening platforms