Application of 3D printing & 3D bioprinting for promoting cutaneous wound regeneration

As the external layer of the body, the skin acts as a protector of the underlying organs. Without prompt and adequate wound healing, the health of the patient is affected, which can lead to life-threatening consequences. Wound healing is exacerbated by comorbidities, such as obesity, Type II diabetes and age, which are on the rise in developed countries. Therefore, it is imperative to develop more effective dressings to achieve rapid and complete wound healing to improve the quality of life for patients and help reduce the economic burden. In recent decades, three-dimensional printing (3DP) has been applied to a wide range of products for patient benefits from wound healing to orthopedic devices via computer-aided design (CAD) software.

This review studies the emerging 3DP technologies focusing on skin regeneration and wound healing as an example. Herein, skin structure, the wound healing process and different classes of chronic wounds are discussed, providing a comprehensive description and analysis of wound healing mechanisms. Furthermore, the progress and development of wound regeneration strategies in recent years is described, as well as 3D bioprinting (3DBP) technology for the treatment of wounds. Clinical applications of 3DP & 3DBP for healthcare technologies are also considered along with the regulatory challenges for the medical device market. Finally, the research challenges and future perspectives are discussed.