3D-printed tool for creating standardized burn wounds in ex vivo skin tissues

Introduction

The development of biomaterials and medical devices for burn wound treatment necessitates thorough investigation through in vitro/ex vivo models before transitioning to animal studies. Establishing a standardized and high-throughput burn wound model in ex vivo skin presents a considerable challenge. Our objective was to address this challenge by developing a practical and cost-effective 3D-printed burn wound tool capable of uniformly inducing burns in 12 skin samples simultaneously.

Material and methods

Utilizing Autodesk Inventor software, we designed a 3D model comprising a plate-base component (PBC) and a rod-base component (RBC). The design was exported as a Standard Triangulation Language (STL) file, processed through "Slicer" software to generate a G-code file tailored for 3D printing.

Results

The Rod-Base component underwent iterative design modifications to optimize weight, airflow, and material consumption, resulting in a final design featuring a unique star shape for enhanced airflow. Simultaneously, the Plate-Base component design evolved to enable easy and secure plate placement, demonstrating compatibility with 12-well plates. The average production time for the model was 14.5 h, with a production cost of approximately $20 (USD), covering printing material and steel rods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the required equipment and software, empowering researchers to efficiently produce their accurate and cost-effective 3D-printed tool for controlled and reproducible burn wound creation in ex vivo viable skin tissues.