Growing human-scale scala tympani-like in vitro cell constructs

• Main Authors: Aregueta Robles, U.A (Author), Bartlett-Tomasetig, F. (Author), Poole-Warren, L.A (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Physics 2023
• Subjects: 3D printing; 3-D printing; 3D tissue engineering; 3d tissue engineerings; 3D-printing; Cell adhesion; Cell engineering; Cells constructs; cochlear implants; Cochlear implants; Electrodes; Emerging materials; Hydrogels; In-vitro; In-vitro models; Molds; mould casting; Mould casting; scala tympani in vitro model; Scala tympani in vitro model; Tissue; Tissue engineering; Vitro cell
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Emerging materials and electrode technologies have potential to revolutionise development of higher resolution next-generation, bionic devices. However, barriers associated with the extended timescales, regulatory constraints, and opportunity costs of preclinical and clinical studies, can inhibit such innovation. Development of in vitro models that mimic human tissues would provide an enabling platform to overcome many of these barriers in the product development pathway. This research aimed to develop human-scale tissue engineered cochlea models for high throughput evaluation of cochlear implants on the bench. Novel mould-casting techniques and stereolithography three-dimensional (3D) printing approaches to template hydrogels into spiral-shaped structures resembling the scala tympani were compared. While hydrogels are typically exploited to support 3D tissue-like structures, the challenge lies in developing irregular morphologies like the scala tympani, in which the cochlear electrodes are commonly implanted. This study successfully developed human-scale scala tympani-like hydrogel structures that support viable cell adhesion and can accommodate cochlear implants for future device testing. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.