Method and device for producing a three-dimensional, multi-cell object
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10299940-B2
Publication Date
2019-05-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for producing a three-dimensional, multi-cell object, in which polymerized structures are produced in layers by the irradiation of light radiation. To this end, use is made of photopolymerizable liquids which at least partly comprise biological cells. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out such a method and to the use of this device for producing an artificial organ.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to producing a three-dimensional, multi-cell object by introducing a first photopolymerizable liquid into a reaction vessel and focusing a first light beam on first selected regions of a first focal plane within the area of the reaction vessel filled with the first liquid. The first light beam produces a first polymerized structure in a first layer, and uncured first photopolymerizable liquid is discharged from the reaction vessel.
The process then introduces a further photopolymerizable liquid so that the area outside the previously produced polymerized structure first focal plane is filled with the further photopolymerizable liquid. A further light beam is focused on a focal plane within the area filled with the further liquid, and a further polymerized structure in a further layer is produced by way of the further light beam, directly adjacent to the previously produced polymerized structure and connected thereto.
The layer thickness is raised by repeating the liquid exchange and light-based layer formation until the three-dimensional multi-cell object is produced, using the same or different photopolymerizable liquids for the repeated layers. The first photopolymerizable liquid and/or at least one of the further photopolymerizable liquids contain biological cells, and more than one polymerized structure is produced in the same layer while maintaining the layer-by-layer three-dimensional construction of the multi-cell object.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001, covering a layer-by-layer bioprinting method with sequential photopolymerizable liquid exchange and light focusing at focal planes, with biological cells in at least one photopolymerizable liquid and producing more than one polymerized structure within the same layer. The inventive features are further refined by dependent claims that add constraints on light wavelength ranges and liquid-handling timing, and optionally integrate selected elements into the object, while also including an optical refocusing mechanism for changing the focal plane inside the reaction vessel.
Layerwise focal-plane photopolymerization with adjacent connected structures
Focus a first light beam on first selected regions of a first focal plane within the reaction vessel filled with a first photopolymerizable liquid to produce a first polymerized structure in a first layer, discharge uncured first photopolymerizable liquid, introduce a further photopolymerizable liquid, focus a further light beam on a focal plane within the area filled with the further liquid to produce a further polymerized structure in a further layer directly adjacent to and connected with the previously produced polymerized structure, and repeat until the three-dimensional multi-cell object is produced.
Biological cells in photopolymerizable liquids
The first photopolymerizable liquid and/or at least one of the further photopolymerizable liquids contain biological cells.
Multiple polymerized structures within the same layer
More than one polymerized structure is produced in the same layer.
Light wavelength range constraint
The first light beam and/or the further light beam has a wavelength between 380 nm and 780 nm or within 200 to 1000 nm.
Replacement timing based on removal of previously present liquid
Delay introducing the further photopolymerizable liquid into the reaction vessel until the photopolymerizable liquid previously present has been removed from the reaction vessel.
Optical refocusing to change focal plane inside the vessel
Refocus in an optical system between a light source and a reaction vessel to change the focal plane inside the reaction vessel.
Integration of selected elements into the object
Integrate at least one selected element from membranes, channels, pores, sensors, electrically conductive carriers, or chemotactic preparations into the object during production of a three-dimensional multi-cell object.
Overall claim coverage centers on producing a three-dimensional, multi-cell object through repeated focal-plane photopolymerization with successive photopolymerizable liquid exchange, forming directly adjacent polymerized structures that are connected across layers, requiring biological cells in at least one photopolymerizable liquid, and specifically forming more than one polymerized structure within the same layer. Dependent claims further constrain the light wavelengths, impose a removal-before-introduction timing for liquid replacement, optionally add integrated functional or structural elements, and specify an optical refocusing mechanism to change focal plane positioning inside the reaction vessel.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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