Syringe Adapter for Multi-Material 3D Bioprinting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D bioprinting systems with multiple extrusion heads experience interruptions and reduced efficiency due to frequent switching, causing stress to cells and material loss, especially when using hydrogels with high viscosity or large volumes, as seen in existing microfluidic and multi-material bioprinter systems.

Innovation Solution

A 3D bioprinting system with a syringe adapter that allows two or more materials from separate syringes to be extruded through a single nozzle, utilizing a piston-driven, tubeless system with a syringe adapter configured for parallel, mixed, or coaxial multi-material flow, minimizing shear stress and enabling fine-tuning control and efficient printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple extrusion heads are used to print complex multi-material tissues, then the ability to combine multiple biological materials is improved, but the print speed and efficiency are reduced due to frequent switching and positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to combine multiple biological materialsVSAvoidprint speed and efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple material delivery systems into a single extrusion head. Multiple syringes are connected to a common manifold that feeds a single nozzle, allowing multiple biological materials to be deposited simultaneously through one extrusion head without requiring frequent switching between separate heads, thus maintaining versatility while improving print speed and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple extrusion heads are used for multi-material bioprinting, then material combination capability is improved, but cell stress increases due to recurrent deceleration and acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-material tissue fabrication capabilityVSAvoidcell stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple material streams into a single extrusion head with a common nozzle. This eliminates the need for the extrusion head to repeatedly accelerate and decelerate when switching between materials, as all materials are delivered through the same stationary nozzle. This reduces mechanical stress and vibration on cells while maintaining the ability to fabricate complex multi-material tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If microfluidic systems with multiple channels are used, then multi-material extrusion is enabled, but material loss increases due to long tubing systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-material extrusion capabilityVSAvoidmaterial loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the long tubing system from the microfluidic approach and replaces it with direct connections from syringes to a common manifold. This extraction of the problematic long tubing eliminates the source of material loss while preserving the multi-material extrusion capability through the simplified manifold-nozzle configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Speed

If microfluidic systems with thin lumen are used, then material flow control is improved, but viscosity compatibility is reduced for high viscosity hydrogels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial flow control precisionVSAvoidviscosity compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the material delivery system into separate syringe-manifold-nozzle pathways for each material. Each syringe maintains its own connection to the manifold, allowing independent control of high viscosity hydrogels without being constrained by thin lumen restrictions. This segmentation enables precise flow control while maintaining compatibility with materials of varying viscosities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enhances cell viability, reduces material loss, and increases print speed and efficiency by minimizing the path length of hydrogels, allowing for the creation of complex tissue constructs with improved flexibility and control over material extrusion.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a piston-driven, tubeless system with a syringe adapter configured for parallel, mixed, or coaxial multi-material flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiston-driven extrusion: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS20230264417A13D bioprinter system, syringe adapter, use of a 3D bioprinting system, and process of extrusion

Publication Date: 2023.08.24 TISSUELABS PESQUISA E DESENVOLVIMENTO LTDA

AI summary

The invention relates to the field of additive manufacturing (3D printing) of hydrogels and biological materials. The invention discloses a 3D bioprinting system of multiple hydrogels and biological materials each of which is loaded in a different syringe, using a single extrusion nozzle. It also refers to the syringe adapter, to the uses and applications of the 3D bioprinting system and syringe adapter and to a process for extrusion of hydrogels, biological materials or mixtures thereof.