Aims/Purpose: Corneal perforation is a medical emergency that can lead to blindness. Treatment options encompass cyanoacrylate or fibrin glue, both linked to side effects, including cytotoxicity. Gelatin methacryloyl-based biomaterials offer an alternative to these adhesives [1, 2]. Achieving optical clarity and smooth surface integrity is crucial for the restoration of vision in treated corneal wounds.
Methods: Currently, the delivery of corneal biomaterials utilizes standard syringe systems, which lack the accuracy to reconstruct the cornea's shape. Therefore, the use of a laser bioprinting technology, developed in the Boutopoulos lab [3], for achieving precise in-situ corneal wound repair was examined. We used a photocrosslinkable ink comprising Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMa), hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), and Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP) as a photoinitiator.
Results: Printability was optimized by generating nanoliter-volume individual droplets using 230 μJ laser energy, a flow rate 20 microliter per minute, and a temperature of 37°C. Rheology, optical characterization, and bursting pressure measurements assessed its potential to seal corneal perforations. Results indicated a hydrogel storage modulus of 1.31 ± 0.31 KPa for printed LiQD cornea and a bursting pressure of 38 ± 6 mmHg when used to seal full thickness cornea perforation in cadaveric pig eyes. Optical clarity akin to the native cornea was observed (%light transmission: 93.12 ± 1.02 printed vs 92.61 ± 1.50). The OCT results showed that the LIST technique could potentially fill the corneal wounds and reconstruct the natural curvature of the wounded cornea.
Conclusions: In conclusion, a precise printing system for delivering adhesive corneal regenerative biomaterials to wounds was developed and characterized.
References
1. Sharifi, S., et al., 2021. 6(11): p. 3947-3961.
2. Barroso, I.A., et al., 2022. 9(2).
3. Ebrahimi Orimi, H., et al., Sci Rep, 2020. 10(1): p. 9730.