Oesophageal tissue engineering: optimisation of stereotactic robotic cell injection in decellularised oesophageal scaffolds

Purpose Oesophageal substitution following atresia repair, caustic damage or cancer of the oesophagus can be challenging. We and others are working on engineering oesophageal tissue using a combination of decellularised oesophagi and cell injection. So far this has been achieved using highly operator-dependent techniques. This study aimed to establish a reproducible method for cell delivery into scaffolds. Methods To improve consistency, a stereotaxic robotic platform was adapted to deliver a suspension of porcine gelatin and cells in a 1:1 ratio. The scaffold was mounted on a 3D-printed rod linked to a stepper motor, enabling automated 36° rotation for circumferential coverage. Two circumferential rows, each rotated 36°, with 3 − 2 points at 3-mm intervals, ensured even seeding. Injection depth was calibrated to target the inner layer. Results Cells injected robotically remained viable, with no significant difference from manual injection. Post-injection analyses confirmed cell viability and distribution within the scaffold. Conclusion Automated robotic injection provides a reliable, reproducible alternative to manual methods, reducing operator bias.