Handheld Bioprinting Device Segmentation Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D bioprinting technologies lack a handheld device capable of efficiently and easily combining biological and structural materials under sterile conditions for rapid prototyping and compatibility testing, particularly for small-scale applications before scaling up to large-scale bioprinters.
Innovation Solution
A handheld dispensing device with a first structural material dispensing element and a second biological material dispensing element, where the biological element is single-use and sterilizable, allowing for easy selection and connection of materials, and optionally integrated with a robotic arm assembly within a sterilizable chamber for controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a handheld device combines both structural and biological material dispensing elements, then material compatibility screening efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate dispensing elements: a first dispensing element for structural materials and a second dispensing element for biological materials. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific material type while maintaining the ability to screen material compatibility efficiently in a handheld format.
2Reliability
If the biological material dispensing element is made single-use and sterilizable, then sterilization compliance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second dispensing element for biological materials is designed as a single-use, disposable component that can be sterilized. This approach ensures sterilization compliance for biological material handling while avoiding the need for complex reusable sterilization systems, as the element is discarded after one use.
3Productivity
If the device allows rapid switching between structural and biological materials, then prototyping speed is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a material selector switch that enables dynamic switching between the first dispensing element (structural materials) and the second dispensing element (biological materials). This dynamic switching capability allows rapid prototyping by quickly changing material types, while the switch mechanism is designed to be user-friendly to maintain ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A handheld dispensing device (10) is provided. The handheld dispensing device comprises a first dispensing element (12) configured to dispense a structural material; and a second dispensing element (50) configured to dispense a biological material; wherein the second dispensing element is single-use and sterilizable; and wherein the first dispensing element is connectable to the second dispensing element. Further, a dispensing system is provided. The dispensing system comprises: a sterilizable chamber; at least one robotic arm assembly and a dispensing device within the sterilizable chamber, wherein the at least one robotic assembly is configured to move the dispensing device comprising a first dispensing element and a second dispensing element, the first dispensing element being releasably connectable to the second dispensing element; and an external control device connected to the at least one robotic arm assembly and configured to control the at least one robotic arm assembly; wherein the first dispensing element is configured to dispense a structural material and the second dispensing element is configured to dispense a biological material.