Vat photopolymerization based digital light processing 3D printing hydrogels in biomedical fields: Key parameters and perspective

Vat photopolymerization (VP) based digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology gains prominence in biomedical fields, particularly for creating complex tissue structures and aiding in regeneration. Hydrogels, known for their high-water content and biocompatibility, serve as an ideal material used in VP based DLP 3D printing for mimicking biological tissues. The review examines the crucial components of VP based DLP 3D printing of hydrogels in three categories: materials, including monomers and crosslinkers that make up of hydrogels; equipment, featuring various types of VP based DLP 3D printers; and printing parameters, such as light source and exposure time. The application of VP based DLP 3D printed hydrogels at different levels of biomedical field is discussed, providing an overview of the current trends and future possibilities of VP based DLP 3D printing hydrogels in biomedical science.