3D Tissue Forming with Acoustic Cell Patterning and Photocuring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D printing technologies in tissue engineering lack control over cell distribution and positioning, leading to random distribution and limited flexibility in constructing heterogeneous tissue structures, hindering the development of effective three-dimensional heterogeneous tissue structures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system combining acoustic waves and light-curing technology to control cell cluster patterns and positions, enabling precise splicing and selective curing of cells to form three-dimensional tissue structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional 3D printing technologies are used for tissue engineering, then the printing process can be performed, but the cell distribution and positioning cannot be controlled, leading to random distribution and limited flexibility in constructing heterogeneous tissue structures
Solution Approach 1:
The printing process is divided into distinct stages: acoustic wave-based cell clustering stage and light-curing stage. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cell positioning (acoustic) and structural fixation (light-curing), resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
Acoustic waves serve as an intermediary mechanism to manipulate cell distribution before final curing. The acoustic field acts as a controllable mediator that can precisely position cells without direct mechanical contact, enabling both high precision and flexibility in heterogeneous structure construction
2Manufacturing precision
If acoustic waves are used to control cell cluster patterns, then cell positioning precision is improved, but the system complexity increases due to coupling with light-curing technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges acoustic wave technology and light-curing technology into a unified printing system. The acoustic module handles cell positioning while the light-curing module handles structural fixation, and both are integrated under a single control system, achieving high precision without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic wave control and light-curing processes are performed in continuous sequence without interruption. The cell clustering under acoustic waves is immediately followed by light-curing fixation, maintaining continuous useful action and avoiding the need for complex intermediate handling steps
3Volume of moving object
If multiple layers are printed to form three-dimensional tissue structures, then the tissue structure dimensionality is improved, but the splicing accuracy between layers becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
Each layer undergoes preliminary acoustic wave-based cell positioning before light-curing fixation. This preliminary action ensures that cells are precisely arranged in their target positions before the layer is permanently fixed, maintaining high splicing accuracy across multiple layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment methods with acoustic wave-based positioning for layer alignment. The acoustic field can precisely position cells at layer interfaces without physical contact or mechanical adjustment, maintaining splicing accuracy in three-dimensional structures
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
Enhances cell utilization and interaction, constructs bionic tissue structures, and allows flexible curing of patterned cells, overcoming limitations in constructing three-dimensional heterogeneous tissue structures.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the bio-ink in the acoustic resonating cavity through acoustic waves to form a cell cluster pattern
Implementation Method 2
performing controllable light-curing on the pre-cured position of the cell cluster pattern to obtain a cured formed structure
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided in the present application are a three-dimensional forming method and system. The method comprises: step 1, controlling, by means of an acoustic wave, a bio-ink in an acoustic resonant cavity to form a cell cluster pattern M1; step 2, performing controllable photocuring on a pre-curing position of the cell cluster pattern M1, so as to obtain a cured and formed structure; step 3, transferring the cured and formed structure; step 4, controlling, by means of an acoustic wave, the bio-ink in the acoustic resonant cavity to form a cell cluster pattern M2, and adjusting the position, in the bio-ink, of the cured and formed structure of step 3, such that the position is accurately joined with a pre-curing position of the cell cluster pattern M2; step 5, performing controllable photocuring on the pre-curing position of the cell cluster pattern M2, so as to obtain a cured and formed structure; and circularly executing steps 3-5 a preset number of times, so as to obtain a three-dimensional tissue structure. By means of the present application, three-dimensional printing can be realized by means of the coupling of an acoustic wave and photo-curing technology, thereby improving the printing accuracy and efficiency of a three-dimensional heterogeneous tissue structure.