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Choudhury D, et al.

resolution of nanolitre. Both printers can also be further in tissue engineering [102] . The key highlight of SE3D is
customized to incorporate modified laser or photo- its r3bEL 3D bioprinter (Figure 4H). The printer is based
crosslinking devices, multiple dispensing units and on open-source programs and includes a swappable
a wide variety of software suites. RegenHU has also multi-tool printhead, comprising of a hydrogel extruder
launched biomaterials for 3D tissue printing: BioInk™, (20–100°C) and a fused filament extruder (up to
OsteoInk™ and Stark TM[94] . 260°C). SE3D also supplies a wide range of ready-to-
Regenovo Biotechnology Co., Ltd. markets Bio- use BioKits, with biomaterials and reagents required for
®
Architect (Figure 6E) [95] . The ability to print in a initiating educational bioprinting in classrooms [103] .
sterilized environment at temperatures ranging from SunP Biotech International offers several categories of
-5 °C to 260 °C is undoubtedly a key highlight of the bioprinters (ALPHA-BP11, tower-style ALPHA-CPT1
Regenovo 3D bioprinter. (Figure 6G), desktop ALPHA-CPD1 and mini ALPHA-
Revotek’s T-Series™ 3D Bio Printers come with CPM1) [104] . They have developed a unique low-temp
proprietary injection nozzles and specialized, modular printing technology in ALPHA-BP11 which integrates
Rollovesselar™ platforms which print scaffold-free 3D lyophilisation in 3D printed microfilaments. This results
bio-vascular structures using Biosynsphere™ ink , a in controlled macro pores (a few hundred microns)
[96]
proprietary formulation . The Biosynsphere™ ink itself for tissue scaffolds and micro pores (10–50 microns)
is created using another encapsulation machine made in the printed microfilament. Apart from regular
by Revotek. The system comes complete with in-house printable scaffold materials, the company also provides
software, RevoCloud™ which can convert 2D images personalized bioinks for various in vitro models such as
such as CT scans and MRIs into 3D representations. [105]
Working with researchers from West China Hospital tumours, iPSCs and hepatocytes .
at Sichuan University, Revotek has been successful in Te Vido biodevices utilise patented technology from
[106]
embedding 3D printed blood vessels into simian test Clemson University . TeVido’s first product on offer is
subjects [97] . A 2-centimetre segment of the abdominal a bioprinted nipple-areola graft for breast reconstruction.
[107]
artery was replaced with a 3D printed blood vessel The clinical trials are predicted in 2–3 years’ time .
in 30 rhesus monkey, where the stem cell bioink was TeVido’s second offering is targeted for Vitiligo patients
prepared from the autologous adipose mesenchymal where they want to print skin tissues which would
stem cells (ADSCs) of the monkeys [98] .The printer potentially reduce the contrast in colours [108] . Te Vido
currently employs a print head with two nozzles and biodevices currently does not offer any commercial
boasts of printing ten-centimetre blood vessels in just bioprinters in the market.
[99]
two minutes . 2.3 analysis of commercial Bioprinting
ROKIT received funding from Korean government [100]
and partnered with top Korean Universities to develop companies
their bioprinter ROKIT INVIVO (Figure 5H). Major Bioprinting as a technology has a global presence, and
highlights of the system include the interactive user it is clearly demonstrated by the locations of those
interface (through Android OS system and WiFi companies (Figure 8). The majority (almost 40%) of
connectivity) along with the customised nozzle setup the bioprinting companies are based in North America,
where the user can select from- extrusion, mechanical and rest are split in between Europe and Asia. Almost
dispensing and hot melt pneumatic dispensing. INVIVO three-quarters of all the bioprinting companies have
can print a wide array of biomaterials ranging from been established within the last 6 years. In fact, 20% of
PLGA, PCL, PLLA to collagen or gelatin-based all the companies have been in operation for less than
hydrogels with cell mixtures. 3 years, and this shows the dynamism of this sector.
Seraph Robotics was born out of Cornell University. Organovo, the first bioprinting-only company started
Scientist™ 3D printer (Figure 4B), the latest mo- operating only in the last 10 years, while much older
del of Seraph Robotics, is based on Fab@Home companies like EnvisionTEC, GeSiM and nScrypt
Model 3 research platform which allows detailed (who have been in business for more than 15 years)
customisation [101] . The printer also comes with UV LED had their core applications focus on non-bioprinting
accessory at various wavelengths (365 or 385 nm) for related technologies. Extrusion-based printing mode is
cross-linking. Scientist™ 3D printer is programmed with undoubtedly the most popular mode (Figure 9) in the
XDFL instead of the usual G-Code. current bioprinters owing to their ease of operation and
SE3D is funded by National Science Foundation (US). lower set-up and maintenance costs. The most common
The company has been collaborating with high schools form a biomaterial gets printed is in the hydrogel form,
to offer hands-on 3D printing curriculum while providing and microextrusion is ideally suited for this. More than
bioprinting tools and training to research labs working half of the printing heads in the commercially available

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