3D Printing Hydrogel Composition for Tissue-Like Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogels used for 3D printing of artificial organs struggle to replicate the texture and physical properties of actual human organs, particularly in terms of rheological characteristics, biocompatibility, printability, and electrocautery suitability, especially for organs with high toughness and tensile strength.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel composition comprising an acrylamide-based compound, hydrophilic thickener, alkali compound, and biocompatible polymers, which provides high viscosity and controlled rheological properties suitable for 3D printing, resulting in a 3D printing hydrogel with elastic modulus of 10 to 300 kPa, tensile strength of 100 to 1,200 kPa, and toughness of 0.1 to 15.0 MJ/m³, mimicking the properties of human organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogels with high water content are used to achieve biocompatibility and hydrophilicity, then biocompatibility is improved, but tensile strength and toughness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite hydrogels formed by crosslinking reactions between multifunctional monomers (containing multiple vinyl or isocyanate groups) and polyols, creating a network structure that combines the biocompatibility of hydrogel materials with enhanced mechanical strength through the crosslinked composite network
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the functional group valency (number of crosslinking sites) of monomers to control crosslinking density, thereby tuning the balance between biocompatibility (maintained through hydrogel structure) and tensile strength (enhanced through increased crosslinking density)
2Stability of the object's composition
If hydrogel viscosity is increased to maintain 3D structure after printing, then structural stability is improved, but printability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rheology modifiers that allow the hydrogel ink to exhibit shear-thinning behavior during printing (reducing viscosity for easy extrusion) and then rapidly recover viscosity after deposition (maintaining 3D structure stability), creating dynamic viscosity control throughout the printing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts rheological parameters including viscosity, yield stress, and shear-thinning characteristics through selective additives and crosslinking density control, optimizing the balance between printability (requiring low viscosity during extrusion) and structural stability (requiring high viscosity after printing)
3Strength
If crosslinking density is increased to improve tensile strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but elasticity and tissue-like properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes crosslinking density within a specific range and uses multifunctional monomers with controlled functional group valency to achieve adequate tensile strength while maintaining sufficient network flexibility and elasticity to simulate soft tissue mechanical properties
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition enables the formation of artificial organs with physical properties similar to human organs, suitable for surgical simulation and applications such as blood vessel suturing, by ensuring controlled viscosity and rheological characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic thickener
Implementation Method 2
an acrylamide-based compound
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6(b)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hydrogel composition for 3D printing, and a 3D printing hydrogel formed using the same, hydrogel composition comprising an acrylamide-based compound, a hydrophilic thickener, an alkali compound and a solvent.