Translation of laser-based three-dimensional printing technologies

Laser-based three-dimensional (3D) printing methods, including laser direct-write cell printing and two-photon polymerization, have seen significant advances because of their unique photonic characteristics. Several mechanisms have been developed to increase the overall throughput of two-photon polymerization. Recent efforts to develop complex medically relevant structures using laser direct-write cell printing have also been demonstrated; for example, an ex vivo experimental platform for time-lapse imaging of cancer cell dynamics during angiogenesis within a microvascular network, which combines laser direct-write cell printing into the rat mesentery culture model; a model that simulates a 3D in vivo culture. Laser 3D printing methods hold significant promise for 3D printing of tissue engineering scaffolds, microstructured medical devices, and other medically relevant structures.