Using Stereolithography to Create Artificial Skin

Petra Rantanen, under the supervision of Dr. Rashid Bashir and Matthew Alonso
University Laboratory High School and the College of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering/Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Introduction
Stereolithography, a type of 3D printing, is a method of creating 3-dimensional objects from 2-dimensional crosssections. It has distinct advantages in modeling and rapid prototyping and is often used in medical applications. Researchers are currently pioneering the use of stereolithography to create artificial tissues. I want to use this technology to create artificial skin.

Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA)

The SLA at the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MNTL) uses direct writing,, where a UV laser selectively hardens the polymer. A recent study showed that cells can live longer when they are pre-mixed with the polymer and then arranged in their own layers. The computer model of the scaffold is created using AutoCAD. The image on the right is a scaffold design I made that could be used for artificial skin. Each band is .1 mm thick.

Proposal
Concept
The skin would preferably be biodegradable so that the patients own skin cells could eventually replace the artificial skin. It would be difficult to make all three layers of the skin. However, artificial skin that included all three layers would be more useful. There are two basic approaches: (1) create the scaffold so that the patients cells will grow into it, or (2) create the scaffold with the cells already in it.

Materials
We would need a material that is somewhat permeable to water and facilitates gas exchange. It would also need to be as strong as regular skin so it would not easily be punctured. Stiffness and porosity of skin would also need to be researched experimentally. If cells were to be encapsulated in the scaffold before the skin was attached to the patient, the cells would need to be the patients own cells so that the immune system would not reject the artificial skin.

Aim
The aim of this project is to create artificial skin by using stereolithography methods. This could be used to treat burn victims.

Skin Anatomy
There are three different layers of skin: the epidermis (.04.15 mm thick), the dermis (~1.1 mm thick), and the subcutis (~1.2 mm thick). These are all components of skin that could be necessary, especially if the artificial skin would already have cells: Keratinocytesflattened cells which produces the protein keratin, which is the main constituent of skin. Basal cellscells that form keratinocytes. Melanocytescells that produce melanin, or pigment. Lagerhans cellscells concerned with immune system. Merkel cellscells concerned with fine touch. Basement membrane zone (BMZ)connects epidermis and dermis. This area is important in burn healing as it provides protection from shearing. Blood vesselsthermoregulation, nutrient transport Lymph vesselssupply lymph to fight microbes. Hair folliclesinsulation, also sense Sweat glandsthermoregulation

What I Learned
Through the I-STEM program, I gained exposure to lab practices and business etiquette, and I became more proficient in reading research articles. I also learned much about skin and stereolithography. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in the experience.

Importance
Skin is extremely important as it serves many functions: Protection against infection Thermoregulation Storage of water, fat, and vitamin D Sense

Projection Stereolithography
This is different from direct writing because the whole image is projected onto the polymer, as opposed to one line being drawn at a time.

Current Methods for Burn Treatment

Skin grafts: healthy skin is taken from donor site such as inner thigh or cadaver and placed over wound. Disadvantages: damaged donor site, or immune system rejects skin from cadaver shortly after the operation. Composite Cultured Skin (CCS): skin from healthy donors is cultured and seeded on a collagen sponge. CCS includes growth factors so the patients own skin grows over transplant. There are various other options, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. This project would aim to reduce many of those disadvantages.

Acknowledgments
I greatly appreciate the help and supervision of Dr. Rashid Bashir, Matt Alonso, Mitch Collins, and Vincent Chan, as well as Dr. Lizanne Destefano, Ray Carrubba, and the other Uni High faculty involved in this program.

The cross section is created on the computer using Microsoft Powerpoint. The image is then transferred onto the chip (DMD). The chip consists of many mirrors, which are either on or off. The on mirrors show the image. The image on the DMD is then projected, using UV light, and focused onto the polymer, which cures due to the light. This technique is still being developed to demonstrate micropatterning of cells.

Fibroblasts-make collagen Pain/touch receptors Elastic fibers Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and adhesion molecules binding to, releasing, and neutralizing cytokines and growth factors. Collagen connective tissue, provides support. Fat cellsprovide insulation

References
Alonso, M. P. (2010). Optimization of a light emitting diode based projection stereolithography system and its applications. Retrieved from https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/ 2142/16160/1_Alonso_Matthew.pdf?sequence=2 Chan, V., Zorlutuna, P., Jeong, J. H., Kong, H., & Bashir, R. (2010). Threedimensional photopatterning of hydrogels using stereolithography for long-term cell encapsulation. Lab on a Chip, 10, 2062-2070. doi:10.1039/c004285d Dermatology: Anatomy of the skin. (2008, February 19). Retrieved June 20, 2011, from University of Maryland Medical Center website: http://www.umm.edu/dermatology-info/anatomy.htm Hendriks, F. M., Brokken, D., Oomens, C. W. J., Baaijens, F. P. T., & Horsten, J. B. A. M. (2000). Mechanical properties of different layers of human skin. Retrieved from Eindhoven University of Technology website: http://www.mate.tue.nl/mate/pdfs/249.pdf

Technology
To create the artificial skin, we would use stereolithography. There are different types of stereolithography systems, but each has the same basic principle: a computer slices the 3D digital model into cross sections. Each layer is then patterned one at a time onto a polymer by ultraviolet (UV) light, which cures the polymer. Then more uncured polymer is placed on top and the process repeats. One challenge in tissue engineering using stereolithography is determining the best way to encapsulate cells in the scaffold (structure). To make artificial skin, we would need to do this.

Image sources: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ magazine/issues/fall08/images/skin_ replacement.jpg http://www.med.umich.edu/histology/ fieldTrip/skinMedMag.jpg

Skin graft--overview. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2011, from University of Maryland Medical Center website: http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/002982.htm Sterling, J. P., Heimbach, D. M., & Gibran, N. S. (2010). Management of the burn wound. In W. W. Souba & D. W. Wilmore (Eds.), ACS surgery: Principles and practice. Retrieved from http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/surgery/di visions/GITES/burn/Documents/Management%20of%20the%20Burn%20Wound.pdf