Bio-ink Printer Thermal Jetting Nozzle for Live Cell Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bio-printing technologies face challenges in maintaining cell viability and precise printing of bio-inks containing live cells, due to compatibility issues with ink ingredients and mechanical stress during ejection and deposition, which affects printability and cell survival rates.
Innovation Solution
The use of bio-inks comprising a buffer solution and polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethylene glycol, which enhance surface tension and viscosity, combined with a thermal jetting bio-ink ejector that forms a vapor bubble to eject droplets, ensuring high cell viability and precise droplet placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bio-ink formulations are used, then printing process is simple, but cell viability is reduced due to mechanical stress and ink ingredient compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the bio-ink by incorporating specific polymers (polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol) at optimized concentrations (1-10 wt%), adjusting buffer composition (phosphate buffered saline, HEPES buffer), and controlling viscosity (1-100 cP) and surface tension (20-60 dyn/cm) to reduce mechanical stress on cells during printing while maintaining cell viability at 90-100%
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite bio-ink formulation combining multiple components: polymers (polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol), buffer solutions (phosphate buffered saline, HEPES buffer), and live cells, where each component serves a specific function to protect cells during the printing process
2Manufacturing precision
If thermal jetting method is used to eject bio-ink droplets, then printing precision is improved, but cell viability decreases due to thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thermal parameters by controlling the thermal resistor heating to form vapor bubbles that eject droplets, while the buffer solution composition (phosphate buffered saline, HEPES buffer) and polymer additives are specifically selected to mitigate thermal stress effects, maintaining cell viability at 90-100% despite the thermal jetting process
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer solution acts as an intermediary protective medium between the thermal stress and the cells, while polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol serve as protective agents that cushion the mechanical and thermal stresses during droplet ejection and deposition
3Manufacturing precision
If bio-ink viscosity is increased to reduce splashing, then droplet placement precision improves, but printing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter within a specific range (1-100 cP) by selecting appropriate polymer concentrations (1-10 wt%) and buffer compositions, achieving the right balance where the bio-ink is viscous enough to prevent splashing and ensure precise droplet placement but not so viscous as to significantly reduce printing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional properties to different components: polymers provide localized viscosity enhancement and surface tension control at the droplet interface, while the buffer solution provides overall medium protection, allowing each component to contribute optimally without compromising printing speed
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 described bio-ink solution achieves high cell viability (90-100%) and precise printing with reduced splashing and satellite droplets, enabling effective deposition of live cells in bio-printing applications.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal resistor positioned to heat the bio-ink to form a vapor bubble to eject a droplet of bio-ink from the ejection nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is drawn to bio-ink printer components, methods of printing bio-inks, and multi-fluid live cell printing systems. In one example, a bio-ink printer component can include a bio-ink and a bio-ink ejector fluidly connected or connectable to the bio-ink. The bio-ink can include a buffer solution that is suitable for live cells, and a polymer that includes polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl sulfate, polyethylene glycol, polyester, poly(dimethylsiloxane), cellulose, polysaccharide, or a combination thereof. The bio-ink ejector can include an ejection nozzle and a thermal resistor positioned to heat the bio-ink to form a vapor bubble to eject a droplet of bio-ink from the ejection nozzle.