Methods and Apparatus for Building Complex 3D Scaffolds and Biomimetic Scaffolds Built Therefrom

An apparatus for building three dimensional biomimetic scaffolds, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a computational unit which slices a three-dimensional model of said scaffold into two-dimensional slices and determines the spatial and temporal placement of building components of said scaffold within each said two-dimensional slice;
• (b) a first processing unit that selectively irradiates a mixture composed of gelatin, sugar and water to produce cross-linked gel layers;
• (c) an optional second processing unit that selectively applies biochemical factors to said gel layers to modulate select cellular processes, that cross-links these factors to said layers, and that optionally selectively applies thermal radiation to locally modulate said cross-linked layers' stiffness;
• (d) a third processing unit that selectively dissolves the non-irradiated material from said cross-linked gel layers with heated solvent while holding said gel layers in place:
• (e) a fourth processing unit which arranges the selectively dissolved cross-linked gel layers and fuses said layers together using either sugar glaze and heat, or an enzyme;
• and
• (f) a fifth processing unit that arranges the fused gel layers and optionally perfuses said layers with select biochemical factors to modulate select cellular processes and to cross-link these factors to said gel layers.