Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) microfabrication based on 3D measurements of the relevant microstructures has begun to be utilized in engineering various tissue and organs. We herein introduce some applications of existing 3D microfabrication processes in tissue engineering, that is, their applications in using biodegradable polymers or in making organ-structure-mimicking polymer scaffolds. In addition, we introduce our latest research regarding 3D design and fabrication of scaffolds suitable for liver tissue engineering that can be accessible to the blood circulation of patients. We point out that precise fabrication of inner micro-spaces of relevant organ is generally more important than that of the outer shape that has been considered important in conventional industrial applications.
