Bio-ink delivery device and 3D bio-printer

Abstract

The invention relates to a bio-ink delivery device and a 3D bio-printer, and belongs to the technical field of 3D bio-printing.The bio-ink delivery device comprises pushing rods, a butt joint piece, a needle cylinder assembly and a spray head assembly, the needle cylinder assembly is divided into a plurality of pushing cavities through partition plates, and the pushing rods are arranged in the pushing cavities respectively; the spray head assembly is connected to the front end of the needle cylinder assembly in a matched mode, the spray head assembly is divided into a plurality of extrusion channels through the partition plates, and the partition plates are in sealed butt joint with the partition plates through the butt joint pieces so that the pushing cavities can communicate with the extrusion channels in a one-to-one correspondence mode. Different bio-inks can be extruded out at the same time in the one-time path process to complete printing, the effect that multi-layer cell structure printing can be integrally carried out through one-time path planning of a single spray head assembly is achieved, path planning is simplified, bio-ink replacement is omitted, the time needed by 3D bio-printing is shortened, and the printing efficiency is improved. And the survival of cells after biological printing is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of 3D bioprinting, and in particular relates to a bio-ink delivery device and a 3D bio-printer. Background Art

[0002] 3D bioprinting is an additive molding manufacturing technology based on computer electronic models. Hydrogels prepared from different components such as biomaterials, cells, and growth factors are used as "bio-ink". The printing path is planned through computer modeling technology, and layer-by-layer stacking technology is used to manufacture printed bodies with complex biological and mechanical properties. It can imitate the structure, composition, and function of natural tissues and assist in the repair of damaged tissues or organs. It is currently a research hotspot in the field of tissue engineering organ regeneration.

[0003] Extrusion 3D bioprinting is one of the 3D bioprinting methods. The bio-ink is loaded into the printing syringe, and the 3D bioprinter squeezes the bio-ink out through mechanical extrusion for printing. It is simple, economical, and scalable, and is currently widely used.

[0004] At present, there are two ways to print tissues or organs with multi-layer cell structures by extrusion 3D bioprinters. One way is to use computer modeling technology to plan three printing paths of a single nozzle before printing. After printing a layer of cell structure with a single print nozzle, replace the new bio-ink to print the second layer of cell structure, and then replace the different bio-ink to print the third layer of cell structure, so as to achieve the bio-printing of multi-layer cell structures of tissues or organs. Another way is to mount multiple print nozzles, plan the printing path of each print nozzle, load different bio-inks in different print nozzles, and realize the bio-printing of multi-layer cell structures of tissues or organs by printing layer by layer with different nozzles. The first way requires multiple establishment of printing paths, and the preparation before printing is relatively cumbersome; at the same time, it is necessary to replace the bio-ink multiple times in the middle of printing, which is easy to cause pollution, and it takes a lot of time to complete the bio-printing work, which is not conducive to the survival of cells in the bio-ink. The second way is that the printing path of each print nozzle needs to be accurately planned before printing, and the preparation before printing is relatively complicated, and it also takes a lot of time to complete the bio-printing work.

[0005] Therefore, a bio-ink delivery device and a 3D bio-printer that can achieve multi-cell integrated printing with a single nozzle are urgently needed. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides a bio-ink delivery device and a 3D bio-printer, which are used to solve the technical problems in the prior art that extrusion-type 3D bio-printing requires continuous replacement of bio-ink or continuous planning of different nozzle printing paths and a complicated printing process.

[0007] The present invention is achieved through the following technical scheme: a biological ink delivery device, including a propulsion rod, a docking piece, a syringe assembly and a nozzle assembly, the syringe assembly is divided into a plurality of propulsion chambers for loading biological ink by a partition, each of the propulsion chambers is provided with the propulsion rod, the nozzle assembly is cooperatively connected to the front end of the syringe assembly, the nozzle assembly is divided into a plurality of extrusion channels by a partition, the partition is sealed and docked with the partition through the docking piece so that the propulsion chambers are connected with the extrusion channels in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0008] In order to better realize the present invention, further optimization is made in the above structure. The syringe assembly includes a barrel and a nipple. The nipple is integrally connected to the front end center of the barrel and communicated with the barrel. There are two partitions. The two partitions are parallel and spaced apart in the barrel. The front end of the partition extends into the nipple. The barrel and the nipple are divided into three independent propulsion chambers by the partition. The front ends of the three propulsion rods are respectively slidably connected in the three propulsion chambers. The front ends of the propulsion rods are provided with pistons matching the cross-sectional shapes of the corresponding propulsion chambers.

[0009] In order to better realize the present invention, further optimization is made in the above structure. The nozzle assembly includes a needle tube and a connecting sleeve. The tail end of the needle tube is inserted into the front end of the connecting sleeve. The nipple is inserted into the rear end of the connecting sleeve and fixed by an anti-dropping clamp. There are two spacers. The two spacers are parallel and spaced in the needle tube. The rear end of the spacer extends into the connecting sleeve. The needle tube and the connecting sleeve are divided into three independent extrusion channels by the spacer. The two spacers are connected to the two partitions one by one through the docking piece so that the three extrusion channels are correspondingly connected to the three propulsion chambers.

[0010] In order to better realize the present invention, further optimization is made in the above structure. The docking piece is a rubber holster, and the rubber holster is fixed on the front end of the nipple. The front end of the rubber holster is provided with two parallel and spaced docking strips. The cross-sectional shape of the docking strip is I-shaped. The front end of the partition is fitted and inserted in the rear groove of the docking strip, and the rear end of the partition is embedded in the front groove of the docking strip.

[0011] In order to better realize the present invention, further optimization is made in the above structure, the anti-dropping clamp is a clamping block protruding on the outer wall of the middle part of the nipple, the inner wall of the rear end of the connecting sleeve is provided with a recessed groove, and the clamping block is embedded in the recessed groove.

[0012] In order to better realize the present invention, further optimization is made in the above structure, and the cylinder, the partition and the propulsion rod are all plastic structural parts.

[0013] In order to better realize the present invention, further optimization is made in the above structure, the needle tube is a steel needle, and the spacer is a steel sheet.

[0014] In order to better implement the present invention, further optimization is made in the above structure, and an annular limiting plate is extended at the rear end of the propulsion rod.

[0015] In order to better realize the present invention, the above structure is further optimized, and a baffle is provided at the rear end of the propulsion rod, and a plurality of the propulsion rods are integrally connected via the baffle.

[0016] A 3D bioprinter comprises a driving mechanism and a bio-ink delivery device, wherein the driving mechanism is connected to a propulsion rod of the bio-ink delivery device.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The bio-ink delivery device provided by the present invention includes a propulsion rod, a docking piece, a syringe assembly and a nozzle assembly. The syringe assembly is divided into a plurality of propulsion chambers for loading bio-ink by a partition, each propulsion chamber is provided with a propulsion rod, the nozzle assembly is cooperatively connected to the front end of the syringe assembly, the nozzle assembly is divided into a plurality of extrusion channels by a partition, the partition is sealed and docked with the partition by a docking piece so that the propulsion chamber and the extrusion channel are connected one by one. With this structure, by arranging a plurality of independent propulsion chambers in the syringe assembly corresponding to the plurality of independent extrusion channels connected to the nozzle assembly, different bio-inks can be squeezed out simultaneously in a single path process to complete printing, achieving the effect of a single nozzle assembly for integrated printing of multi-layer cell structures with a single path planning, simplifying the path planning, eliminating the need to replace the bio-ink during printing, avoiding the pollution caused by replacing the bio-ink, shortening the time required for 3D bio-printing, and facilitating the survival of cells after the completion of bio-printing.

[0019] The present invention also provides a 3D bioprinter, including a driving mechanism and a bio-ink delivery device, wherein the driving mechanism is connected to a propulsion rod of the bio-ink delivery device, thereby shortening the preparation time before printing and realizing simultaneous printing of multi-layer cell structures in one path, thereby improving printing efficiency and shortening printing time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0021] Figure 1is a schematic structural diagram of the bio-ink delivery device of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the syringe assembly in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the nozzle assembly in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the propulsion rod in the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the docking piece in the present invention.

[0026] In the figure:

[0027] 1-propelling rod; 2-docking piece; 21-docking strip; 3-syringe assembly; 31-barrel; 32-nipple; 33-piston; 4-sprinkler assembly; 41-needle tube; 42-connecting sleeve; 43-anti-dropping clamp; 5-partition; 6-propelling chamber; 7-extrusion channel; 8-annular limiting plate; 9-baffle; 10-spacer; 11-sink. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] To make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other implementation methods obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more; the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "front end", "rear end", "head", "tail", etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] Embodiment 1:

[0032] In this embodiment, a bio-ink delivery device, such as Figures 1 to 5 As shown, it includes a propulsion rod 1, a docking piece 2, a syringe assembly 3 and a nozzle assembly 4. Specifically, the syringe assembly 3 is divided into a plurality of propulsion chambers 6 for loading biological ink by a partition 5. A propulsion rod 1 is provided in each of the propulsion chambers 6. The movement of the propulsion rod 1 causes the biological ink to be squeezed to the nozzle assembly 4. The nozzle assembly 4 is cooperatively connected to the front end of the syringe assembly 3. The nozzle assembly 4 is divided into a plurality of extrusion channels 7 by a partition 10. The partition 5 is sealed and docked with the partition 10 through the docking piece 2 to enable the propulsion chambers 6 to be connected with the extrusion channels 7 one by one.

[0033] By adopting this structure, by arranging a plurality of independent propulsion chambers 6 in the syringe assembly 3 corresponding to the plurality of independent extrusion channels 7 connected to the nozzle assembly 4, different biological inks can be squeezed out simultaneously by the propulsion rod 1 during a single path process to complete printing, thereby achieving an effect of printing a multi-layer cell structure in one piece with a single nozzle assembly 4 through a single path planning, simplifying the path planning, eliminating the need to replace the biological ink during printing, avoiding the pollution caused by replacing the biological ink, shortening the time required for 3D biological printing, and facilitating the survival of cells after the completion of biological printing.

[0034] As a specific implementation of this embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the syringe assembly 3 includes a barrel 31 and a nipple 32, the nipple 32 is integrally connected to the front end center of the barrel 31 and communicated with the barrel 31, there are two baffles 5, the two baffles 5 are parallel and spaced apart in the barrel 31, the front end of the baffle 5 extends into the nipple 32, so that the barrel 31 and the nipple 32 are separated into three independent propulsion chambers 6 by the baffle 5, the front ends of the three propulsion rods 1 are respectively slidably connected in the three propulsion chambers 6, the front end of the propulsion rod 1 is provided with a piston 33 matching the cross-sectional shape of the corresponding propulsion chamber 6, it is worth noting that the piston 33 at the front end of each propulsion rod 1 has a different shape, and the shape of the piston 33 matches the front end shape of the propulsion chamber 6 where it is located, so as to achieve a sealing and leak-proof effect, so that the propulsion rod 1 can completely squeeze the biological ink in the propulsion chamber 6 into the nozzle assembly 4.

[0035] In this embodiment, Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the nozzle assembly 4 includes a needle tube 41 and a connecting sleeve 42, the tail end of the needle tube 41 is plugged into the front end of the connecting sleeve 42, the nipple 32 is plugged into the rear end of the connecting sleeve 42 and fixed by an anti-dropping clamp 43, the connecting sleeve 42 and the nipple 32 are detachable and quickly connected, and nozzle assemblies 4 of different shapes can be selected to be replaced in 3D bioprinting to perform 3D bioprinting of different shapes, the number of the spacers 10 is two, the two spacers 10 are parallel and spaced apart in the needle tube 41, the rear end of the spacer 10 extends into the connecting sleeve 42, and the spacer 10 and the connecting sleeve 42 are connected. The inner walls are tightly connected, so that the needle tube 41 and the connecting sleeve 42 are separated into three independent extrusion channels 7 through the spacer 10. The two spacers 10 are connected to the two partitions 5 one by one through the docking piece 2, so that the three extrusion channels 7 are connected to the three propulsion chambers 6 respectively. The different biological inks in the three propulsion chambers 6 are squeezed simultaneously by the propulsion rod 1 and pushed into the three correspondingly connected extrusion channels 7 respectively, so that three different biological inks are extruded simultaneously to form a three-layer cell structure printed by three different biological inks. The printing of the three-layer structure is completed in one path, which is more efficient.

[0036] In this embodiment, Figure 5As shown, the docking piece 2 is a rubber sheath, which is fixed on the front end of the nipple 32. The front end of the rubber sheath is provided with two parallel and spaced docking strips 21, and the cross-sectional shape of the docking strip 21 is I-shaped. The front end of the partition 5 is inserted into the rear groove of the docking strip 21, and the rear end of the partition 10 is inserted into the front groove of the docking strip 21. Through the tight fit between the partition 10 and the docking strip 21 and the tight fit between the partition 5 and the upper docking strip 21, the sealing of the connection between the docking piece 2 and the partition 10 and the partition 5 is improved, and it has a certain buffering effect, extending the service life, thereby ensuring the independence of the three propulsion chambers 6 and the three extrusion channels 7, and preventing different biological inks from mixing in the syringe assembly 3 and the nozzle assembly 4.

[0037] In order to improve the connection reliability between the above-mentioned connecting sleeve 42 and the nipple 32, the above-mentioned anti-detachment clamp 43 is a clamping block protruding from the outer wall of the middle part of the above-mentioned nipple 32, and the inner wall of the rear end of the above-mentioned connecting sleeve 42 is provided with a recessed groove 11, and the above-mentioned clamping block is embedded in the above-mentioned recessed groove 11. The number of the above-mentioned clamping block and the recessed groove 11 is two, and they are symmetrically arranged along the radial direction. Through the connection between the above-mentioned clamping block and the recessed groove 11, the above-mentioned nozzle assembly 4 is firmly connected to the front end of the above-mentioned syringe assembly 3, which ensures the stability of the connection, can withstand large pressure changes, avoids loose connection or breakage, and can ensure that the above-mentioned propulsion chamber 6 and the above-mentioned extrusion channel 7 can be connected one by one, so that the different biological inks in the three above-mentioned propulsion chambers 6 can be smoothly extruded into the correspondingly connected above-mentioned extrusion channels.

[0038] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned cylinder 31, partition 5 and push rod 1 are all plastic structural parts. The above-mentioned cylinder 31 and partition 5 are integrally formed by mold manufacturing. The above-mentioned needle tube 41 is a steel needle, and the above-mentioned spacer 10 is a steel sheet. The above-mentioned needle tube 41 and spacer 10 are integrally formed by mold manufacturing.

[0039] In this embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the rear end of the push rod 1 is extended with an annular limit plate 8, and the annular limit plate 8 is used to cooperate with the mounting position on the 3D bio-printer, so that the biological ink delivery device can be installed on the mounting position of the 3D bio-printer. The rear end of the push rod 1 is extended with a baffle 9, and the multiple push rods 1 are integrally connected through the baffle 9. The multiple push rods 1 are pushed synchronously, so that different biological inks are extruded simultaneously to form a multi-layer cell structure.

[0040] Embodiment 2:

[0041] In the present embodiment, a 3D bio-printer includes a driving mechanism and the above-mentioned bio-ink delivery device, the above-mentioned driving mechanism is connected to the propulsion rod 1 of the above-mentioned bio-ink delivery device. When in use, the syringe assembly 3 of the above-mentioned bio-ink delivery device is installed on the installation position of the 3D bio-printer, so that the baffle 9 at the rear end of the above-mentioned syringe assembly 3 is connected to the above-mentioned driving mechanism, and the above-mentioned driving mechanism pushes the above-mentioned propulsion rod 1 through the above-mentioned baffle 9, so that the bio-ink in the propulsion chamber 6 is extruded through the extrusion channel 7 to form a multi-layer cell structure, thereby shortening the preparation time before printing, realizing simultaneous printing of multi-layer cell structures in one path, improving printing efficiency, and shortening printing time.

[0042] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A bio-ink delivery device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a propulsion rod (1), a docking piece (2), a syringe assembly (3) and a nozzle assembly (4); the syringe assembly (3) is divided into a plurality of propulsion chambers (6) for loading biological ink by a partition (5); each propulsion chamber (6) is provided with the propulsion rod (1); the nozzle assembly (4) is cooperatively connected to the front end of the syringe assembly (3); the nozzle assembly (4) is divided into a plurality of extrusion channels (7) by a partition (10); the partition (5) is sealed and docked with the partition (10) through the docking piece (2) so that the propulsion chambers (6) are connected to the extrusion channels (7) in a one-to-one correspondence.

2. A bio-ink delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The syringe assembly (3) comprises a barrel (31) and a nipple (32), wherein the nipple (32) is integrally connected to the front end center of the barrel (31) and communicates with the barrel (31), the number of the partitions (5) is two, the two partitions (5) are arranged in parallel and at intervals in the barrel (31), the front end of the partition (5) extends into the nipple (32), the barrel (31) and the nipple (32) are divided into three independent propulsion chambers (6) by the partition (5), the front ends of the three propulsion rods (1) are respectively slidably connected to the three propulsion chambers (6), and the front end of the propulsion rod (1) is provided with a piston (33) matching the cross-sectional shape of the corresponding propulsion chamber (6).

3. A bio-ink delivery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The nozzle assembly (4) comprises a needle tube (41) and a connecting sleeve (42), the tail end of the needle tube (41) is plugged into the front end of the connecting sleeve (42), the nipple (32) is plugged into the rear end of the connecting sleeve (42) and fixed by an anti-dropping clamp (43), the number of the spacers (10) is two, the two spacers (10) are arranged in parallel and at intervals in the needle tube (41), the rear end of the spacer (10) extends into the connecting sleeve (42), the needle tube (41) and the connecting sleeve (42) are divided into three independent extrusion channels (7) by the spacer (10), and the two spacers (10) are connected to the two partitions (5) one by one through the docking piece (2) so that the three extrusion channels (7) are connected to the three propulsion chambers (6) accordingly.

4. A bio-ink delivery device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The docking piece (2) is a rubber sheath, which is fixed on the front end of the nipple (32). The front end of the rubber sheath is provided with two parallel and spaced docking strips (21), and the cross-sectional shape of the docking strip (21) is an I-shape. The front end of the partition (5) is inserted into the rear groove of the docking strip (21), and the rear end of the partition (10) is inserted into the front groove of the docking strip (21).

5. A bio-ink delivery device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The anti-dropping clamp (43) is a clamping block protruding from the outer wall of the middle part of the nipple (32); a recessed groove (11) is provided on the inner wall of the rear end of the connecting sleeve (42), and the clamping block is embedded in the recessed groove (11).

6. A bio-ink delivery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cylinder (31), the partition (5) and the propulsion rod (1) are all plastic structural parts.

7. A bio-ink delivery device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The needle tube (41) is a steel needle, and the spacer (10) is a steel sheet.

8. A bio-ink delivery device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: An annular limiting plate (8) is provided at the rear end of the propulsion rod (1).

9. A bio-ink delivery device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A baffle (9) is provided at the rear end of the propulsion rod (1), and a plurality of the propulsion rods (1) are integrally connected via the baffle (9).

10. A 3D bioprinter, characterized in that: It comprises a driving mechanism and a biological ink delivery device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the driving mechanism is connected to a propulsion rod (1) of the biological ink delivery device.

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