A 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of 3D printing technology and discloses a 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds, comprising a material box, the material box comprising a box body, a release film installed on the bottom of the box body via a splint, a support platform fixedly connected to the bottom of the box body via bolts, a projection window provided in the middle of the support platform, a support plate installed on the projection window, the support plate being made of a transparent material, the space enclosed by the support plate, the release film and the box body forming a liquid cavity, the liquid cavity being filled with a liquid medium. In this 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds, a liquid cavity is provided at the bottom of the release film, the liquid cavity is filled with liquid, and when the release film is attached to the support plate, the liquid is also squeezed out from between the release film and the support plate. The liquid acts as a lubricant in this process, reducing the wear of the release film. Secondly, when the release film is damaged, the liquid cavity can effectively prevent ink from leaking into the printer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of 3D printing equipment, and in particular to a 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds. Background Art

[0002] Silk fibroin scaffolds, due to their unique material properties and biocompatibility, have demonstrated significant advantages in fields such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Photocuring 3D printing is a common method for producing silk fibroin scaffolds. During the scaffold manufacturing process, the steps of imaging, stacking, and peeling are repeated repeatedly.

[0003] To facilitate the separation of each layer of printed matter, a release film is provided at the bottom of the cartridge. The release film will form a depression under the influence of the ink's gravity, affecting the printing accuracy. To reduce the impact of the depression, please refer to Figure 8 A support body d is provided at the bottom of the material box a, and an air cavity c is formed between the release film b and the bottom of the material box a. When imaging, the air cavity c is at negative pressure, which makes the release film stick tightly to the support body d, making the release film b flat and ensuring printing accuracy. When peeling, the air cavity c is inflated to a positive pressure to facilitate the peeling of the printed product.

[0004] However, the above structure still has the following defects that need to be improved. First, when the release film b is pressed against the support d, there is relative sliding between the release film c and the support d, which causes wear of the release film, especially at the edge of the support. Second, because the release film b bulges upward when the air cavity c is at positive pressure, the ink at its edge is relatively deeper and the pressure at its edge is greater. During the degassing process of the air cavity c, the edge of the release film b is more likely to move. That is, when the release film b is pressed against the support d, the edge of the release film b first contacts the support d, which easily traps air between the release film b and the support d, causing a bulge in the release film b. This makes the release film in this area not perpendicular to the light, causing refraction and reducing printing accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application proposes a 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds. A liquid cavity is provided at the bottom of the release film, and the liquid cavity is filled with liquid. When the release film is attached to the support plate, the liquid can act as a lubricant to reduce the wear of the release film.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present application adopts the following technical solution: a 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds, comprising:

[0007] A support platform with a projector below it and a forming platform above it that can move along the Z axis. A material box is placed on it, and the projector projects onto the bottom of the material box.

[0008] The material box includes a box body, a release film is installed on the bottom of the box body through a clamping plate, the bottom of the box body is fixedly connected to a support platform by bolts, a projection window is provided in the middle of the support platform, a support plate is installed on the projection window, and the support plate is made of a transparent material. The space enclosed by the support plate, the release film and the box body forms a liquid cavity, and the liquid cavity is filled with a liquid medium;

[0009] Before the projector projects, all the liquid flows into the space between the box and the support plate. After the projection is completed, some of the liquid enters the space between the release film and the support plate.

[0010] It also includes a driving pump, which adjusts the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber to make the liquid flow.

[0011] Furthermore, a first airbag is provided in the gap between the box body and the support plate. The first airbag is connected to a driving pump, which is an air pump. The first airbag is compressible and has a cushioning effect, preventing a sudden increase in pressure between the build platform, the printed object, and the release film, thereby preventing damage to the projector or the cartridge.

[0012] Furthermore, the support plate is movably connected to the projection window, and a second airbag is provided between the support plate and the projection window. The expansion and contraction of the second airbag can enable the support plate to move up and down. When peeling off the printed body, the support plate moves downward. Before the projector projects, and after the first airbag contracts to cause the release film to be concave, the support plate moves upward until it reaches the highest point.

[0013] Furthermore, an isolation skirt is fixedly connected to the side wall of the support plate, and the other side of the isolation skirt is fixedly connected to the bottom of the box body. The sealing effect of the isolation skirt prevents liquid from leaking from the gap between the support plate and the projection window.

[0014] Furthermore, the position where the clamping plate clamps the release film is higher than the highest point that the support plate can reach. When air is mixed in the liquid cavity, the air will be trapped in the angle between the release film and the clamping plate and will not enter between the support plate and the release film.

[0015] Furthermore, a plurality of guide rods are provided between the projection window and the support plate, the guide rods are fixedly connected to the support plate, and a limit block is provided at the bottom of the guide rod, and an electrode sheet is provided on the limit block at the end of each guide rod. When the guide rod rises to the highest point, the electrode sheet is pressurized and sends a signal. Furthermore, a pressure sensor is provided in the first airbag, and the gas sensor senses the gas pressure in the first airbag. The driving pump makes the air pressure in the first airbag always less than p1, and the pressure of p1 is less than the minimum pressure generated by the ink on the release film.

[0016] Furthermore, two groups of fluid infusion ports are provided at the bottom of the support platform, and the fluid infusion ports are blocked.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] The present application provides a 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds. The bottom of the release film is provided with a liquid cavity filled with liquid. When the release film is attached to the support plate, the liquid is also squeezed out from between the release film and the support plate. The liquid acts as a lubricant in this process, reducing the wear of the release film.

[0019] When the release film is concave, the support plate actively contacts the release film, causing the release film to gradually contact the support plate from the middle outward, which is conducive to draining the liquid between the support plate and the release film and ensuring the flatness of the release film. In addition, since the release film has a large curvature, when peeling off the printed body, the outer periphery of the printed body is far away from the release film, and it is gradually peeled off from the release film from the outside to the inside, making it easier to peel off the printed body.

[0020] When the release film is damaged, the liquid cavity can effectively prevent ink from leaking onto the printer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on the provided drawings without inventive work.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the release film of the present invention being pressed against the support plate;

[0023] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the release film and the support plate being separated in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the support plate moving toward the release film in the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 A top view of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the material box of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the guide rod in the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of an existing material box.

[0030] In the figure: 1. Support platform; 2. Forming platform; 3. Projector; 4. Material box; 41. Box body; 42. Clamping plate; 43. Release film; 44. Support platform; 45. First air bag; 46. Liquid cavity; 47. Second air bag; 48. Guide rod; 49. Projection window; 410. Support plate; 411. Isolation skirt; 412. Liquid inlet; 5. Drive pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Example 1, as Figure 1-Figure 2 A 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds includes a support platform 1, a material box 4 and a driving pump 5. A projector 3 is provided in the support platform 1, and the material box 4 is placed directly above the projector 3. The projector 3 projects the corresponding pattern to be formed on the bottom of the material box 4. A forming platform 2 that can move along the Z axis is provided on the upper part of the support platform 1, and the forming platform 2 is driven up and down by a servo motor.

[0033] See also Figure 1-Figure 5 The material box 4 includes a box body 41, a splint 42 is provided at the bottom of the box body 41, a release film 43 is installed on the splint 42, and a support platform 44 is fixed to the bottom of the box body 41 by bolts. A sealing structure is provided between the splint 42 and the box body 41, as well as between the support platform 44 and the box body 41. A projection window 49 is provided in the middle of the support platform 44, and a support plate 410 is installed on the projection window 49. The support plate 410 is made of a transparent material. The space enclosed by the support plate 410, the release film 43 and the box body 41 forms a liquid cavity 46. The liquid cavity 46 is filled with a liquid medium, which is deionized water. The upper surface of the support plate 410 and the lower surface of the release film 43 are not hydrophilic. The pump 5 is driven to adjust the liquid pressure in the liquid cavity 46 so that part of the liquid enters between the release film 43 and the support plate 410 or is completely between the box body 41 and the support plate 410.

[0034] Before imaging, the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber 46 is reduced, and the liquid between the support plate 410 and the release film 43 flows into the space between the support plate 410 and the box body 41, and the release film 43 is pressed against the support plate 410. At the same time, the atmospheric pressure and the ink pressure act on the release film 43 corresponding to the gap between the support plate 410 and the box body 41, pressing the release film 43, making the release film 43 as a whole taut, and making the printing surface uniform. After imaging, the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber 46 is increased, and the liquid flows into the space between the support plate 410 and the release film 43, separating the release film 43 and the support plate 410, and loosening the release film 43. At this time, since the edge of the release film 43 is farther away from the printing surface, when the printed body moves upward, the edge of the release film 43 is first separated from the printed body, making peeling more labor-saving.

[0035] A first airbag 45 is provided in the gap between the box body 41 and the support plate 410. The first airbag 45 is connected to the driving pump 5, which is an air pump. When the forming platform 2 or the printed object presses the release film 43, the first airbag 45 can be compressed and has a buffering effect, so that the pressure between the forming platform 2, the printed object and the release film 43 will not increase sharply, thereby avoiding damage to the projector 3 or the material box 4.

[0036] The support plate 410 is movably connected to the projection window 49, and a second airbag 47 is provided between the support plate 410 and the projection window 49. The extension and contraction of the second airbag 47 is controlled by the driving pump 5. The second airbag 47 can move the support plate 410 up and down. A guide rod 48 is provided between the projection window 49 and the support plate 410. The restraining and guiding function of the guide rod 48 prevents the support plate 410 from shaking when moving up and down. The side wall of the support plate 410 is fixedly connected with an isolation skirt 411. One side of the isolation skirt 411 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the support plate 410, and the other side of the isolation skirt 411 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the box body 41. The sealing function of the isolation skirt 411 prevents liquid from leaking from the gap between the support plate 410 and the projection window 49.

[0037] When the printed body is peeled off, the second airbag 47 contracts, the support plate 410 drops in height, and accelerates the separation from the release film 43. When the printed body is peeled off, the liquid pressure in the liquid chamber 46 first drops to the minimum. At this time, the release film 43 is concave downward, and then the second airbag 47 is inflated, and the support plate 410 moves upward, actively contacting the release film 43. At this time, since the release film 43 is in a concave state, the middle part of the release film 43 is at the lowest position. The middle part of the release film 43 is first pressed against the support plate 410, and the outside is gradually pressed against the support plate 410, so as to drain the liquid between the support plate 410 and the release film 43. The position of the clamping plate 42 clamping the release film 43 is higher than the highest point that the support plate 410 can reach. When there is air mixed in the liquid chamber 46, the air will be trapped in the angle between the release film 43 and the clamping plate 42, and will not enter between the support plate 410 and the release film 43.

[0038] See also Figure 6 , two groups of liquid infusion ports 412 are provided at the bottom of the support platform 44, and the liquid infusion ports 412 are sealed. After the release film 43 is replaced, the first airbag 45 is inflated to the maximum expansion state, the material box 4 is turned over, the bottom surface of the support platform 44 faces upward, the two sealing plugs are pulled out, and water is injected through one liquid infusion port 412 until water is discharged from the other liquid infusion port 412. Both liquid infusion ports 412 are at the lowest point of the material box 4, and the position of the liquid infusion port 412 is slightly concave downward.

[0039] In order to prevent the first airbag 45 from over-contracting and the release film 43 from being over-tightened so that the support plate 410 cannot rise to its proper position, the gap between the release film 43 and the printed body can be changed. Figure 7 A limit block is provided at the bottom of the guide rod 48, and an electrode sheet is provided on the limit block at the bottom of each guide rod 48. When the guide rod 48 rises to the highest point, the electrode sheet is pressed and sends a signal. Printing will only begin when all electrode sheets send signals, that is, all guide rods 48 rise to a high position.

[0040] A pressure sensor is provided in the first airbag 45. The gas sensor senses the gas pressure in the first airbag 45 and drives the pump 5 to make the air pressure in the first airbag 45 always less than p1. The pressure of p1 is less than the minimum pressure generated by the ink on the release film 43, that is, the liquid pressure in the liquid cavity 46 cannot bear the ink pressure, and the release film 43 is in a concave state. During the rising process of the support plate 410, the volume of the liquid cavity 46 decreases, and the pressure of the first airbag 45 increases. However, since the pressure in the first airbag 45 is always less than p1, the pressure in the liquid cavity 46 will never be so large as to hinder the support plate 410 from moving upward, nor will it cause the release film 43 to move upward, ensuring that the support plate 410 can rise to the highest position. When the air pressure in the first airbag 45 is always greater than p2, the first airbag 45 stops expanding. P2 is a safe value that will prevent the release film 43 from being crushed.

[0041] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is intended to enable one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein but is intended to conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A 3D bioprinter for manufacturing a silk fibroin scaffold, comprising: A support platform (1) is provided with a projector (3) below it, and a forming platform (2) capable of moving along the Z axis is provided above it, on which a material box (4) is placed, and the projector (3) projects onto the bottom of the material box (4), characterized in that: The material box (4) comprises a box body (41), a release film (43) is installed on the bottom of the box body (41) via a clamping plate (42), the bottom of the box body (41) is fixedly connected to a support platform (44) via bolts, a projection window (49) is provided in the middle of the support platform (44), a support plate (410) is installed on the projection window (49), and the support plate (410) is made of a transparent material. The space enclosed by the support plate (410), the release film (43) and the box body (41) forms a liquid cavity (46), and the liquid cavity (46) is filled with a liquid medium; Before the projector (3) projects, all the liquid flows into the space between the box body (41) and the support plate (410); after the projection is completed, part of the liquid enters the space between the release film (43) and the support plate (410); The invention also includes a driving pump (5), wherein the driving pump (5) adjusts the liquid pressure in the liquid cavity (46) to make the liquid flow. A first airbag (45) is provided in the gap between the box body (41) and the support plate (410), and the first airbag (45) is communicated with the driving pump (5). The driving pump (5) is an air pump. The support plate (410) is movably connected to the projection window (49). A second airbag (47) is provided between the support plate (410) and the projection window (49). The second airbag (47) can move up and down to move the support plate (410). When the printed body is peeled off, the support plate (410) moves downward. Before the projector (3) projects, and after the first airbag (45) contracts to make the release film (43) concave, the support plate (410) moves upward until it reaches the highest point.

2. The 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds according to claim 1, characterized in that: An isolation skirt (411) is fixedly connected to the side wall of the support plate (410), and the other side of the isolation skirt (411) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the box body (41).

3. The 3D bioprinter for producing silk fibroin scaffolds according to claim 1, characterized in that: The position at which the clamping plate (42) clamps the release film (43) is higher than the highest point that the support plate (410) can reach.

4. The 3D bioprinter for producing silk fibroin scaffolds according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of guide rods (48) are provided between the projection window (49) and the support plate (410), the guide rods being fixedly connected to the support plate (410), and a limit block being provided at the bottom of the guide rods (48), and an electrode sheet being provided on the limit block at the end of each guide rod (48), and when the guide rods (48) rise to the highest point, the electrode sheet is pressed and a signal is sent, and printing starts only when all the electrode sheets send a signal.

5. The 3D bioprinter for producing silk fibroin scaffolds according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure sensor is provided in the first airbag (45), and the gas sensor senses the gas pressure in the first airbag (45). The driving pump (5) ensures that the gas pressure in the first airbag (45) is always less than p1, and the pressure of p1 is less than the minimum pressure generated by the ink on the release film (43).

6. The 3D bioprinter for manufacturing silk fibroin scaffolds according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two groups of fluid infusion ports (412) are provided at the bottom of the support platform (44), and the fluid infusion ports (412) are sealed.

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