Multi-Adaptable Melt Electrowriting for Curved Tubular Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing melt electrowriting (MEW) systems face challenges in biofabrication applications involving tortuous curving structures, particularly in maintaining an orthogonal print head-collector relationship and achieving stable fiber deposition on complex, curved, and bifurcating surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A multi-adaptable MEW system with a trunnion mechanism and a six-axis collaborative robot, enabling up to six mechanical degrees of freedom, allows for printing on curved and bifurcating tubular structures by maintaining an orthogonal print head-collector relationship and incorporating interchangeable extruders for flat and curved surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional MEW system with fixed print head and collector positioning is used, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot maintain orthogonal print head-collector relationship on curved surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system with six degrees of freedom that allows the print head and collector to move relative to each other in multiple directions (X, Y, Z, pitch, roll, yaw). This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain orthogonal alignment between the print head and curved collector surfaces, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity by making the system adaptable to complex geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds rotational degrees of freedom (pitch, roll, yaw) to the traditional three translational degrees of freedom, creating a six-axis positioning system. This dimensional expansion allows the system to orient the print head perpendicular to curved surfaces in three-dimensional space, achieving orthogonal alignment on complex geometries that cannot be addressed with conventional linear positioning alone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single extruder design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot print on both flat and curved surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the extruder as an interchangeable component that can be swapped between different configurations (flat extruder for planar surfaces, conical extruder for curved surfaces). This universal design approach allows a single extruder mounting interface to support multiple surface types, achieving versatility without requiring a completely different extruder system for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic adaptation to different surface profiles by allowing operators to exchange extruder types based on the collector geometry. The conical extruder with its adjustable angle can be configured for specific curvature requirements, providing dynamic adaptability to various surface profiles while maintaining a relatively simple base extruder structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the print head is fixed in position, then the system is easier to operate, but it cannot print on complex geometries with multiple degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual positioning and alignment operations with an automated six-axis positioning system controlled by computer software. The system can be programmed with toolpaths and orientation parameters to automatically maintain orthogonal alignment on complex geometries, substituting complex mechanical manual operations with automated control that simplifies the operator's task while expanding printing capabilities.
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
Enables stable and orderly fiber deposition on complex geometries, including curving tubular structures and bifurcations, with the capability to produce thin membranes and anatomically relevant geometries, enhancing biofabrication capabilities for tissue engineering.
Implementation Method 1
a heating chamber configured to receive the syringe and the needle and provide heat to the syringe and the needle via cartridge heaters
Implementation Method 2
a thermally insulative layer that wraps around the heating chamber
Implementation Method 3
An electric field is then applied between the polymer being extruded and the collector surface (usually made of electrically conductive materials) so that the resulting fiber is deposited in a defined trajectory
Data Source
AI summary
A melt electrowriting (MEW) system includes an MEW device configured to print a material on a collector. The MEW device includes a print head configured to melt and extrude the material out from an extruder. The extruder is exchangeable depending on a surface profile of the collector. The MEW device includes a positioning system configured to coordinate movements of the collector relative to the print head. The MEW system is configured to print the material with at least four mechanical degrees of freedom and up to six mechanical degrees of freedom.