Bioprinter Spray Head Assembly with Dual Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3D biological printing, the existing spray head devices cannot effectively protect cells from damage due to extrusion pressure and frictional forces during the printing process, leading to reduced cell survival rates and construct quality.
Innovation Solution
A bioprinter spray head assembly with a dual flow channel system, where a second flow channel is tapered and positioned adjacent to the first flow channel to wrap the bio-ink, reducing cell damage by combining materials and guiding the auxiliary material to converge with the main material, forming a fluid printing unit that protects cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cells are directly sprayed through a simple nozzle, then the printing process is simple and fast, but the cells suffer damage from extrusion pressure and frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the first flow channel (for bio-ink) is positioned inside the second flow channel (for auxiliary material). The auxiliary material wraps around the bio-ink, creating a protective nested configuration that shields cells from direct contact with the nozzle wall while maintaining printing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary material sprayed from the second flow channel serves as an intermediary substance that wraps around the bio-ink containing cells. This intermediary layer reduces the harmful frictional forces between the cells and the nozzle wall, allowing fast printing while protecting cell viability
2Reliability
If a dual flow channel system with tapered second flow channel is used, then cell protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray head is segmented into two functional flow channels: the first flow channel for delivering bio-ink and the second flow channel for delivering auxiliary material. This segmentation allows each channel to perform its specific function optimally while working together to protect cells
Solution Approach 2:
The second flow channel is designed with a tapered structure where the cross-sectional area changes along the flow direction. This parameter change creates a pressure gradient that accelerates the auxiliary material, enhancing its wrapping capability around the bio-ink without requiring complex mechanical components
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 dual flow channel system enhances cell survival rates and construct quality by minimizing damage from extrusion pressure and frictional forces, allowing for high-quality biological printing with improved reliability and activity.
Implementation Method 1
the second flow channel is at least partially tapered along a direction towards its outlet... to enable that the pressure of the second material is increased to raise its flow velocity
Implementation Method 2
such that the second material sprayed from the outlet of the second flow channel and the first material sprayed from the outlet of the first flow channel are combined together to form a fluid printing unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a bioprinter spray head assembly and a bioprinter, wherein the spray head assembly is internally provided with a first flow channel and a second flow channel, an outlet of the first flow channel is adjacent to an outlet of the second flow channel, and the outlet of the second flow channel is configured to make a second material sprayed therefrom move towards a first material out of the outlet of the first flow channel, such that the second material sprayed from the outlet of the second flow channel and the first material sprayed from the outlet of the first flow channel are combined together to form a fluid printing unit. The bioprinter spray head assembly can guide the auxiliary materials to wrap the cells for protection, thereby reducing the cell damage caused by the extrusion pressure and the frictional force subjected in the printing process, so as to improve the survival rate of the cells and present a high reliability.