Collagen-PEG Curable Formulations for Stable 3D Bioprinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collagen-based materials for 3D bioprinting are limited by sensitivity to temperature and ionic strength, leading to spontaneous gel formation and loss of mechanical control during printing, which affects the precision and efficiency of additive manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
Development of a conjugate comprising collagen with covalently attached elastic/elastomeric moieties featuring curable groups, particularly photocurable (meth)acrylic groups, which maintain viscosity and mechanical properties at physiological temperatures, allowing precise control over printing and integration of biological materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collagen-based materials are used for 3D bioprinting, then biocompatibility and tissue regeneration are improved, but spontaneous gel formation and loss of mechanical control occur due to sensitivity to temperature and ionic strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system by conjugating collagen with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains and photocurable groups. This composite approach combines the biocompatibility of collagen with the thermal stability and mechanical control of PEG-based polymers, resolving the contradiction between biocompatibility and manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of collagen by introducing photocurable functional groups (methacrylate or acrylate) that enable light-induced crosslinking. This parameter change allows precise mechanical control during printing through photopolymerization, preventing spontaneous gel formation while maintaining biocompatibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If collagen formulations are used at physiological temperatures, then biological activity is maintained, but viscosity control and formulation consistency are lost due to spontaneous gel formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the collagen formulation by incorporating PEG chains with specific molecular weights and photocurable groups. This modification allows the formulation to maintain stable viscosity at physiological temperatures while retaining biological activity, as the photopolymerization reaction only occurs upon light exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The PEG chains act as an intermediary between collagen molecules, providing steric stabilization and preventing spontaneous aggregation at physiological temperatures. This intermediary role maintains viscosity control while allowing biological activity to proceed
3Device complexity
If conventional collagen materials are used, then simplicity of formulation is maintained, but mechanical properties and shear recovery are insufficient for accurate 3D bioprinting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite collagen-PEG-methacrylate material that combines the simplicity of collagen formulation with enhanced mechanical properties. The PEG component provides shear thinning behavior for easy dispensing, while the methacrylate groups enable rapid photopolymerization for strength, achieving both formulation simplicity and mechanical performance
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 conjugate provides improved mechanical properties and shear recovery, enabling accurate 3D bioprinting of complex structures with integrated biological materials, such as tissues and organs, while maintaining formulation consistency and allowing for the use of absorbing dyes without adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
Exposure to the UV laser light cures and solidifies the pattern traced on the building material
Implementation Method 2
The conjugate provides improved mechanical properties and shear recovery
Data Source
AI summary
A conjugate made of collagen and a plurality of curable elastic moieties covalently attached thereto, a curable formulation (e.g., a bioink composition) that comprises the conjugate and additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object which utilizes the curable formulation are provided. Also provided are methods/processes of additive manufacturing that employ collagen that feature a plurality of photocurable groups, in which the viscosity of a collagen-containing formulation is determined by manipulating an amount of the photoinitiator that is mixed with the collagen.