3D Bio-printed, Perfusion-Ready Skin Phantoms at Microwave Frequencies

We develop a skin tissue phantom based on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) to enable direct, high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting for microwave application in medicine. Owing to its biocompatibility and tunable physical properties, GelMA serves as an ideal bio-ink for creating scaffolds that closely mimic the native extracellular matrix of biological tissues such as skin. We formulate GelMA bioinks, describe the bioprinting process, and characterize the dielectric and mechanical properties of the resultant tissue phantom. We then preliminarily investigate the effect of perfusion on phantom dielectric properties, demonstrating the effect of blood flow on microwave interactions. This facilitates research efforts in electromagnetics-tissue interaction and the development of microwave and radiofrequency (RF) related medical applications, including medical imaging, hyperthermia treatment, and wearable sensors. It also addresses the challenges of acquiring such phantoms in large quantities, overcoming ethical concerns associated with biological tissues, and points to customizable and patient-specific sensing and treatment strategies.