BIOPLOTTER
General Information
The Dr. INVIVO 4D2 (PREMIUM version) is a groundbreaking hybrid bioprinter designed to advance tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research. This state-of-the-art bioprinting platform stands out for its highly modular architecture, multi-material processing capabilities, integrated sterile environment, and exceptional adaptability, enabling seamless scaling from fundamental research models to advanced, clinical-grade applications. It supports the fabrication of intricate, high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) cellular constructs, ranging from rigid, load-bearing scaffold structures to soft, biomimetic tissue models, with precise spatial control over material deposition and cell placement. The system is compatible with a wide spectrum of synthetic, medical-grade polymers, including Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), Polycaprolactone (PCL), Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), and Polylactic acid (PLA), as well as diverse bioinks such as collagen, alginate, gelatin, and hyaluronic acid. In addition, it enables the processing of advanced nanocomposite materials incorporating nanohydroxyapatite or calcium phosphates. From a technological perspective, the platform integrates multiple interchangeable extrusion modalities, including filament-based extrusion, syringe-based dispensing, and pneumatic hot-melt systems, which can operate independently or in coordinated, multi-head configurations. Advanced temperature control, crosslinking options, and user-friendly software enhance reproducibility, material versatility, and experimental customization, positioning Dr. INVIVO 4D2 as a powerful tool for translational research and next-generation biomanufacturing.
Technical description
The Dr. INVIVO 4D2 is equipped with a fully enclosed, sterile working chamber designed to meet the stringent requirements of biomedical and tissue engineering applications. The closed system is supported by an integrated H14 HEPA filtration unit combined with a laminar airflow module, ensuring a clean environment during the process. Sterility is enhanced by an internal UV lamp. User interaction and system control are managed through an Android-based interface, displayed on a high-resolution LCD touchscreen, complemented by built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring, data transfer, and software updates. From a hardware perspective, the printer integrates multiple extrusion technologies to support a wide range of materials. It features an FDM extruder capable of reaching temperatures up to +250 °C and a Hot Melt Extruder operating at temperatures up to +350 °C. The system supports up to two syringe-based bio dispensers for the controlled deposition of cell-laden bioinks. A thermostatic print bed with a temperature range from –5 °C to +80 °C ensures optimal material adhesion and stability. Additional capabilities include a UV LED for in situ curing of photoreactive materials and a dedicated sample temperature control station. The platform allows multi-material printing within a single construct, achieving a printing resolution of approximately 100–200 µm.
Research areas and applications
Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine represent a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field that integrates principles from biology, materials science, engineering, and medicine to restore, maintain, or enhance the function of damaged tissues and organs. This field focuses on the development of biological substitutes that can stimulate the body’s intrinsic healing mechanisms or replace diseased structures entirely. Central to tissue engineering strategies is the combination of living cells, biocompatible scaffolds, and bioactive signals to recreate the complex architecture and functionality of native tissues. Advanced fabrication technologies, such as three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, have significantly accelerated the progress of this field. These technologies allow to replicate the heterogeneous microenvironments found in natural tissues, supporting cell differentiation, vascularization, and long-term tissue maturation. Regenerative medicine applications extend across a broad spectrum, including bone, cartilage, skin, cardiovascular, neural, and soft tissue repair, as well as in vitro disease modeling and drug screening platforms. As research continues to advance, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are poised to transform personalized healthcare, reduce dependency on donor tissues, and enable more predictive, patient-specific therapeutic solutions.
Science highlights
N. De Cesare, L. Ardondi, T. Pusceddu, L. Sileo, M. Pia Cavaleri, I. Vitali, F. Grassi, B. Grigolo, G. Pezzotti, U. D’Amora, L. Ferroni, A. Ronca, B. Zavan. ACS Appl. Bio Mater. (2026), 9, 1167−1182. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsabm.5c02229.
G. Dal Poggetto, U. D’Amora, A. Ronca, M. G. Raucci, A. Soriente, G. Gomez d’Ayala, P. Laurienzo. Polym. Compos. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.29470
F. Scalia, A. Maria Vitale, D. Picone, N. De Cesare, M. Swiontek Brzezinska, B. Kaczmarek-Szczepanska, A. Ronca, B. Zavan, F. Bucchieri, M. A. Szychlinska, U. D’Amora. Gels. 11, 40. (2025). https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11010040
L. Ferroni, U. D’Amora, C. Gardin, S. Leo, L. Dalla Paola, E. Tremoli, A. Giuliani, L. Calzà, A. Ronca, L. Ambrosio, B. Zavan. J. Nanobiotechnol. 21, 469 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-023-02202-9
A. Abbadessa, P. N. Bernal, G. Buttitta, A. Ronca, U. D’Amora, C. Zihlmann, N. Stiefel, L. Ambrosio, J. Malda, R. Levato, J. Crecente-Campo. J Control. Release. S0168-3659(23)00444-3. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.017
U. D’Amora, A. Ronca, S. Scialla, A. Soriente, P. Manini, J. W. Phua, C. Ottenheim, A. Pezzella, G. Calabrese, M. G. Raucci, L. Ambrosio. Nanomaterials. 13(4), 772. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13040772
U. D’Amora A. Soriente, A. Ronca, S. Scialla, M. Perrella, P. Manini, J. W. Phua, C. Ottenheim, R. Di Girolamo, A. Pezzella, M. G. Raucci, L. Ambrosio. Biomedicines. 10(11), 2945. (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10112945
L. Ferroni, C. Gardin, U. D’Amora, L. Calzà, A. Ronca, E. Tremoli, L. Ambrosio, B. Zavan. Biomater. Adv.. 139, p.213000. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213000
