Bio-ink Composition for 3D Printed Hydrogel Scaffolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing of hydrogel scaffolds faces challenges due to the rapid diffusion of aqueous solutions, resulting in low accuracy and resolution, and the need for bio-inks with mechanical strength and biocompatibility for cell growth.
Innovation Solution
A bio-ink composition comprising a photopolymerizable substance, thiol, photoinitiator, and thermosensitive polymer, which can be extruded and cured with light to form a self-supporting hydrogel scaffold, addressing issues of accuracy and biocompatibility through a direct-writing 3D printing method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aqueous solution is used as hydrogel precursor, then biocompatibility is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to rapid diffusion after extrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating photopolymerizable groups into the hydrogel precursor solution before extrusion. This allows the material to remain in a printable state during extrusion and then rapidly crosslink upon light exposure, preventing diffusion and maintaining printing accuracy while preserving biocompatibility through the use of bio-compatible photopolymerizable substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state of the hydrogel precursor by introducing photopolymerizable functional groups. This parameter change enables the material to transition from a fluid state during extrusion to a crosslinked gel state upon light exposure, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining the aqueous-based biocompatible nature of the original precursor.
2Strength
If crosslinking is introduced to improve mechanical strength, then strength is improved, but biocompatibility may deteriorate due to potential cytotoxicity of crosslinking agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the type of crosslinking reaction by using photopolymerization instead of traditional chemical crosslinking. This parameter change allows crosslinking to occur under mild UV light exposure without requiring toxic crosslinking agents, thereby improving mechanical strength while maintaining biocompatibility through the use of biocompatible photopolymerizable substances and photoinitiators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes chemical crosslinking mechanisms with photopolymerization. Instead of using chemical crosslinking agents that may be cytotoxic, the invention uses light-induced polymerization to achieve crosslinking, replacing the chemical mechanism with a physical (optical) trigger that is less harmful to cells and maintains biocompatibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If photopolymerization is used to improve manufacturing precision, then printing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional light curing system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the material formulation with the printing process by incorporating photopolymerizable groups directly into the hydrogel precursor. This integration allows the use of simple UV light sources rather than complex curing systems, as the photopolymerization can be initiated by straightforward UV exposure, thereby improving printing accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 bio-ink composition enables the creation of hydrogel scaffolds with improved mechanical strength and biocompatibility, facilitating cell growth and tissue engineering applications with controlled porosity and structure.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the linear material with light so that the linear material has a photopolymerization reaction
Implementation Method 2
the thermosensitive polymer has a reverse thermal gelation (RTG) property
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a composition, which comprises: (a) a photopolymerizable substance; (b) a thiol; (c) a photoinitiator; (d) a thermosensitive polymer; and (e) water, and can be used as a bio-ink for preparing a bio-hydrogel for direct-writing 3D printing. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing the composition, and a direct-writing 3D printing method using the composition.