Modular Bioprinter Print Head for Edible Biostructures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bioprinting technologies face challenges in printing biological materials with hydrogels due to mixing effects and time-dependent curing processes, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of precision in fabricating biostructures like skeletal muscles for edible protein sources.

Innovation Solution

A modular bioprinter print head with a quadrilateral orifice plate and bio ink dispensing elements, featuring circulating manifolds and check-valves, is designed for drop-on-demand bioprinting, allowing for precise delivery and circulation of bio-ink, maintaining laminar flow, and enabling the fabrication of edible biostructures with predetermined 2D and 3D patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If standard bioprinting methods are used to print biological materials with hydrogels, then the printing process can be performed, but mixing effects between curing agent and biological materials occur leading to reduced precision and specificity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting precisionVSAvoidmixing effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The print head is divided into separate compartments: a first reservoir for biological materials, a second reservoir for curing agents, and separate dispensing channels. This segmentation prevents premature mixing while allowing controlled delivery of each component to the print zone, thereby maintaining printing precision without harmful mixing effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separate mixing zone is introduced as an intermediary space where biological materials and curing agents are combined only after individual dispensing, away from the print head orifices. This intermediary mixing zone eliminates mixing effects during the critical printing process while still enabling hydrogel formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If curing agents are mixed with biological materials in standard bioprinting, then hydrogel formation occurs, but the timing of mixing becomes a limiting factor due to time-dependent curing effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogel formationVSAvoidmixing timing control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Biological materials are prepared and loaded into the first reservoir in advance, and curing agents are prepared in the second reservoir, but mixing is delayed until the moment of dispensing. This preliminary preparation without premature mixing allows the system to maintain stability while enabling precise timing control of the actual mixing and curing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static pre-mixed hydrogels to dynamic on-demand mixing. The mixing process is made adjustable and controllable in real-time, allowing optimization of mixing timing and duration based on specific printing requirements, thereby eliminating timing limitations while maintaining hydrogel stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If traditional bioprinting systems are used, then general printing can be performed, but the printing process itself is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidprint head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The print head is designed with multiple reservoirs and dispensing channels that can handle different biological materials and curing agents simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single print head to perform multiple printing tasks with different materials, improving overall productivity despite the increased structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs pneumatic or hydraulic actuation mechanisms to control the dispensing of biological materials and curing agents through controlled pressure differential. This enables precise drop-on-demand or continuous printing modes, significantly improving printing efficiency and speed while the modular structure manages the complexity through standardized actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 modular print head enhances precision and efficiency in bioprinting by ensuring controlled bio-ink delivery and circulation, overcoming the limitations of traditional bioprinting methods, and enabling the creation of precise edible biostructures such as skeletal muscles.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining laminar flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

check-valves...operable to maintain controlled liquid/gas or their combination in flow between the source and target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11738510B2Bioprinter print head

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 STEAKHOLDER FOODS LTD

AI summary

The disclosure relates to print heads for use in the bioprinting of biostructures having predetermined two (2D)- and/or three dimensional (3D) pattern of cells. Specifically, the disclosure relates to print heads operable in a bioprinting systems for the fabrication of edible biostructures using drop-on-demand.