Adipose Model 3D Printing via Cell-Unfriendly Bio-ink Bath

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reproducing adipose tissue struggle to maintain structural and functional similarities to actual adipose tissue, as mimicked tissues rapidly contract and exhibit hypofunction due to preadipocytes adhering to collagen fibers and causing apoptosis.

Innovation Solution

A method involving environmental control through the use of a cell-unfriendly first bio-ink and a second bio-ink containing preadipocytes, where the first bio-ink is formulated with adipose-derived extracellular matrix and alginate to prevent preadipocyte infiltration and promote differentiation within a limited area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional adipose tissue reproduction methods are used, then adipose tissue can be created, but the mimicked tissue rapidly contracts and loses shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue shapeVSAvoidshape maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the bio-ink into two separate components: a cell-containing bio-ink with preadipocytes and a bath suspension without cells. This segmentation prevents preadipocytes from adhering to collagen fibers in the surrounding environment, thereby eliminating the contraction problem while maintaining tissue shape integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bath suspension acts as an intermediary environment that provides structural support and nutritional factors to the adipose tissue without containing cell-binding collagen fibers. This intermediary medium allows the tissue to maintain its shape without the harmful adhesive interactions that cause contraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If preadipocytes are present in the bio-ink, then cell proliferation and differentiation can occur, but preadipocytes adhere to collagen fibers causing apoptosis and hypofunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell proliferationVSAvoidapoptosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful collagen fibers from the bath suspension environment while retaining essential nutritional factors. This removal of the harmful adhesive substrate prevents preadipocyte apoptosis caused by abnormal adhesion, allowing healthy cell proliferation and differentiation to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a localized cell-friendly environment within the cell-containing bio-ink droplet while maintaining a cell-unfriendly environment in the surrounding bath suspension. This local quality differentiation allows preadipocytes to proliferate and differentiate properly without adhering to and dying from collagen fiber contact in the surrounding medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the bath suspension contains collagen fibers for structural support, then tissue framework is provided, but preadipocytes adhere to fibers causing tissue contraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidtissue contraction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces permanent collagen fiber networks with a temporary bath suspension containing structural support factors and nutritional components. This disposable-like environment provides necessary support during tissue formation but does not create permanent adhesive surfaces that would cause contraction, effectively substituting a harmful long-term structural element with a beneficial temporary one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

This approach maximizes the structural and functional similarity of the adipose model to actual adipose tissue by controlling the environment, preventing contraction, and enhancing cell differentiation and proliferation.

Implementation Method 1

producing the adipose model by three-dimensionally printing the second bio-ink in the bath suspension; and culturing the bath suspension with the adipose model provided therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnvironmental control:

Implementation Method 2

the bath suspension has properties that exhibit the Bingham plastic behavior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBingham plastic behavior: Bingham Plastic

Implementation Method 3

mimetics created by reproducing the adipose tissue do not maintain their shapes but rapidly contract, thereby causing a hypofunction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectContraction prevention:

Data Source

PatentUS20250109383A1Method for producing adipose model through environmental control and adipose model created thereby

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 POSTECH ACADEMY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing an adipose model through environmental control and an adipose model created using same, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first bioink, which is cell-unfriendly; creating a bath suspension with a predetermined volume by using the first bioink; providing a second bioink comprising preadipocytes; 3Dprinting the second bioink in the bath suspension so as to produce an adipose model; and culturing the bath suspension in which the adipose model is disposed. The method for producing an adipose model through environmental control and the adipose model created using same, according to the present disclosure, form environments for a 3D-printed adipose model, and limit the proliferation area of adipose cells and induce the differentiation thereof, and thus can maximize similarity with actual adipose tissues.