A multi-channel printhead for making multi-component tubular hydrogel structures

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of multi-channel printing heads of preparation multi-component tubular hydrogel structure. The multi-channel printing head, including integrated multi-capillary and syringe;Integrated multi-capillary includes one crosslinking agent delivery capillary and multiple biological ink delivery capillary;Each capillary in integrated multi-capillary is respectively connected with syringe by sleeve tube;Multi-channel printing head is switched on and off by independent control different syringe, realizes the flexible switching printing of multiple components of single-layer tubular hydrogel structure.The utility model multi-channel printing head is integrated multi-capillary, is connected with multiple syringes by external connection multiple sleeve tubes, each syringe can independently load specific component biological ink, biological ink does not affect each other, by opening and closing different channels, can conveniently and flexibly control single-layer tubular hydrogel structure between multiple components switching, realizes the multi-component printing of single-layer tubular hydrogel structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a multi-channel printing head for preparing multi-component tubular hydrogel structures, belonging to the field of bio-3D printing technology. Background Technology

[0002] 3D bioprinting is an emerging research field that integrates biomedicine and 3D printing technology to solve scientific problems in the life and health field. It is characterized by personalized design and manufacturing and represents a cutting-edge technology for the reconstruction of human tissues and organs. Current 3D bioprinting technology relies on frequent switching between multiple independent single-channel printheads when constructing complex tissue structures, resulting in long printing times and low printing resolution. Furthermore, tubular structures in large-scale solid tissues and organs are crucial for material transport and nutrient supply; however, current methods for preparing tubular hydrogel structures mostly use coaxial devices, and achieving multi-component tubular structures relies solely on increasing the number of layers. This makes it impossible to print multi-component single-layer tubular structures and further hinders the precise construction of macroscopic three-dimensional structures. Therefore, to more accurately construct tissues and organs in terms of composition and structure, while ensuring better cell survival within the three-dimensionally constructed tissues and organs, a multi-channel printhead capable of simultaneously printing multiple component bio-inks is needed to construct multi-component single-layer tubular hydrogel structures, thereby further precisely constructing the three-dimensional structures of macroscopic tissues / organs. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is that most current methods for preparing multi-component tubular structures use coaxial devices, which can only achieve multi-component tubular structures by increasing the number of layers, and cannot achieve multi-component printing of single-layer tubular hydrogel structures. This invention improves the structure of current coaxial printheads and provides a multi-channel printhead that can prepare multi-component tubular structures. The printhead includes multiple integrated capillaries and a sleeve connecting the capillaries and the syringe.

[0004] This invention's printhead enables controllable multi-component printing of single-layer tubular hydrogel structures, and different bio-inks do not interfere with each other.

[0005] The multi-channel printing head for preparing multi-component tubular hydrogel structures provided by this utility model includes multiple integrated capillaries and a syringe;

[0006] The integrated multi-capillary system includes a crosslinking agent delivery capillary and multiple bio-ink delivery capillary tubes; the crosslinking agent delivery capillary tube is used to deliver calcium ion crosslinking agent, and the bio-ink delivery capillary tubes are used to independently deliver sodium alginate bio-ink containing cells / active substances.

[0007] The inner diameter of the crosslinking agent delivery capillary is 50-80 μm;

[0008] The inner diameter of the bio-ink delivery capillary is 50-80 μm;

[0009] Each capillary in the integrated multi-capillary tube is connected to the syringe via a sleeve.

[0010] The multi-channel printhead enables flexible switching of printing multiple components in a single-layer tubular hydrogel structure by independently controlling the opening and closing of different syringes.

[0011] Preferably, the bio-ink delivery capillaries consist of 2-6 capillaries, with 6 being the most preferred.

[0012] Preferably, the sleeve is made of Teflon.

[0013] Preferably, the sleeve is connected to the crosslinking agent delivery capillary and the bio-ink delivery capillary via an epoxy resin adhesive.

[0014] Preferably, the cannula and the syringe are detachably connected to allow for rapid replacement of bio-inks with different components.

[0015] Preferably, the integrated capillary tubes are arranged in a coaxial nested configuration, with the crosslinking agent delivery capillary tube located at the center and the bio-ink delivery capillary tubes distributed in a ring array on the periphery.

[0016] This invention uses a multi-channel printhead linked with a three-dimensional translation stage to construct a macroscopic three-dimensional tubular organ model by stacking multi-component single-layer tubular hydrogel structures layer by layer.

[0017] This utility model has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0018] This utility model's multi-channel printhead is an integrated multi-capillary tube connected to multiple syringes via external sleeves. Each syringe can be independently loaded with a specific component of bio-ink, and the bio-inks do not interfere with each other. By opening and closing different channels, it is possible to conveniently and flexibly control the switching between multiple components of the single-layer tubular hydrogel structure, thereby realizing the multi-component printing of the single-layer tubular hydrogel structure. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the multi-channel printhead of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the multi-channel printhead of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the multi-component single-layer tubular hydrogel structure prepared according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0023] like Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the multi-channel printhead of this invention, including multiple integrated capillary tubes 1, a syringe 3 containing bio-ink, and a sleeve 2 connecting the capillary tubes and the syringe 3. The syringe 3 containing bio-ink is connected to the corresponding capillary tube through the sleeve 2. The capillary tubes 1 are made of silicon dioxide, and the sleeve 2 is made of Teflon. The inner diameter of the capillary tubes 1 is 70 μm.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, capillaries ①, ②, ③, ④, ⑤, and ⑥ are loaded with sodium alginate bio-ink containing different active substances or cells, which can flexibly control the switching between 1-6 components in the monolayer tubular hydrogel structure. Capillary ⑦ is loaded with calcium ion crosslinking agent of bio-ink, which is responsible for forming the cavity structure of the tubular hydrogel.

[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, due to the high diffusion rate of calcium ions and the extremely fast reaction rate of sodium alginate-calcium ions, multi-component monolayer tubular hydrogel structures are easily formed. Furthermore, by moving a three-dimensional translation stage, the multi-component monolayer tubular hydrogel structures can be assembled into macroscopic three-dimensional tubular structures.

Claims

1. A multi-channel printhead for preparing multi-component tubular hydrogel structures, comprising integrated multiple capillaries and a syringe; The integrated multi-capillary system includes a crosslinking agent delivery capillary and multiple bio-ink delivery capillary systems. Each capillary in the integrated multi-capillary tube is connected to the syringe via a sleeve. The multi-channel printhead enables the printing of multiple components of a single-layer tubular hydrogel structure by independently controlling the opening and closing of different syringes.

2. The multi-channel printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bio-ink delivery capillaries consist of 2-6 tubes.

3. The multi-channel printhead according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sleeve is made of Teflon.

4. The multi-channel printhead according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sleeve is connected to the crosslinking agent delivery capillary and the bio-ink delivery capillary by an epoxy resin adhesive.

5. The multi-channel printhead according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cannula and the syringe are detachably connected.

6. The multi-channel printhead according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The integrated capillary tubes are arranged in a coaxial nested manner, with the crosslinking agent delivery capillary tube located in the center and the bio-ink delivery capillary tubes distributed in a ring array on the periphery.

Images