Overhead Heating Unit for 3D Bio-Printing Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D bio-printing technologies face challenges in maintaining the curing of cell printing compositions as layers increase, as heat transfer from bottom heating units becomes inefficient, leading to structural collapse due to uncured upper layers.
Innovation Solution
A cell printing apparatus with a heating unit positioned above the nozzle to directly apply heat to the upper layers of the cell printing composition, using a heat radiating lamp or heating wire, ensuring consistent curing regardless of layer height without contacting the nozzle, and featuring a design that allows focused heat application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bottom heating unit is used to cure the cell printing composition, then the lower layers are effectively cured, but the upper layers cannot be properly cured as the structure grows taller due to insufficient heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is repositioned from a bottom-mounted configuration to an overhead configuration, changing the spatial dimension of heat application. This allows heat to be applied from above, directly reaching the upper layers of the cell printing composition that were previously inaccessible to bottom heating, thereby enabling effective curing of tall structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating from the bottom up, the invention inverts the heating approach by applying heat from the top down. This inversion allows the heat source to be positioned above the nozzle, enabling effective curing of upper layers while the nozzle can be designed to withstand or exclude direct heat exposure.
2Reliability
If the heating unit is positioned close to the nozzle for effective heat transfer, then upper layers can be cured, but the nozzle may be damaged by direct heat exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is designed with selective heating zones, applying heat primarily to the laminated cell printing composition while minimizing heat exposure to the nozzle. This localized heat application ensures effective curing of the upper layers without damaging the nozzle, achieving both curing effectiveness and nozzle protection.
3Productivity
If bottom heating is used, then the structure can be built, but the process becomes time-consuming as heat transfer to upper layers is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the heating direction from bottom-up to top-down, the invention reduces the thermal path length and heat transfer time required to cure the cell printing composition. The overhead heating unit can directly heat the upper layers, significantly reducing curing time and improving overall printing productivity.
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 precise and rapid curing of 3D cell structures by ensuring that upper layers are consistently heated to the gelation temperature, preventing structural collapse and maintaining the integrity of the printed structure.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit for transferring heat to the upper side of the heat-sensitive cell printing composition which is discharged from the nozzle to be laminated
Implementation Method 2
The heat radiating lamp may emit visible rays or infrared rays
Data Source
AI summary
A cell printing apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a nozzle configured to discharge a heat-sensitive cell printing composition; and a heating unit for transferring heat to the upper side of the heat-sensitive cell printing composition which is discharged from the nozzle to be laminated. A predetermined space is formed between the heating unit and the nozzle so that the heating unit does not contact with the nozzle.