Hybrid bioprinting platforms: integrating microfluidic, AI, and additive manufacturing for functional tissue constructs

Abstract

Traditional methods of bioprinting tend to compromise the areas of mechanical strength, biological feasibility, and multifaceted tissue structure. Material gradients, vascularisation, and scalability have posed challenges to the rapid development of hybrid bioprinting systems combining microfluidics, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence to enhance functional tissues. This review summarizes recent (2015–2025) innovations in hybrid bioprinting systems that combine multimodal printing, microfluidic precision, and AI-controlled technology to improve construct fidelity and translational prospects. In this study, the literature search was done using Google Scholar, PubMed, MDPI, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink. The keywords were hybrid bioprinting, microfluidic bioprinting, AI-assisted bioprinting, bioinks, and tissue engineering. Articles were filtered based on relevance towards platform design, bioinks, computational control, strategies towards validation, and applications related to diseases. Hybrid bioprinting platforms provide better gradient formation and perfusable channel architectures, decreased shear stress on cells, improved cell viability, and multiscale resolution. The use of AI-enabled feedback and digital twins enhances reproducibility and defect rates, and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neural, hepatic, and skin models have better functional performance in application. The challenges of complexity, sterility, and regulatory barriers are still present. Hybrid bioprinting represents a significant advance towards smart, modular, and can be used in clinical biofabrication. Further materials, microfluidics, automation, and standardization innovations will be essential for scalable translation into regenerative medical care and individualized therapies.