Cell printing apparatus
Inventors
Ahn, Geunseon • Shim, Jinhyung • Min, Kyunghyun • Yun, Wonsoo • JIN, Songwan
Assignees
Tech University of Korea Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation • T&R Biofab Co Ltd
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Publication Number
US-11015163-B2
Publication Date
2021-05-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cell printing apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises: a nozzle through which a liquid cell substance is discharged; a container in which the liquid cell substance discharged through the nozzle is laminated into a three-dimensional structure; and a supply unit for supplying the liquid heated to a predetermined temperature to the container.
Core Innovation
The disclosure provides a cell printing apparatus for laminating a liquid cell substance to create a 3D structure in a container. The apparatus includes a nozzle configured to discharge the liquid cell substance, and a supply unit for supplying a heated liquid to the container so that the heated liquid cures the liquid cell substance. The arrangement is configured so that curing occurs in association with lamination of the layers to form the 3D structure.
A problem addressed is that, in prior approaches, the deposited structure can experience layer slippage or collapse when the material has not reached gelation temperature. Another problem addressed is that sufficient curing heat can be difficult to maintain as the structure height increases, which can affect curing behavior during layer-by-layer formation.
To address these problems, the supply unit regulates an amount of the heated liquid supplied to the container such that a top portion of the 3D structure is exposed while a remaining portion of the 3D structure is submerged. The heated liquid is heated to a gelation temperature, and the heated liquid may be a cell culture medium.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim defining the core apparatus, with dependent claims that further define the heated liquid, timing, and an optional heating unit. The main inventive coverage centers on regulating heated liquid amount to expose the top portion while submerging the remaining portion, thereby enabling curing during lamination.
Nozzle discharging a liquid cell substance to laminate a 3D structure in a container
A nozzle configured to discharge a liquid cell substance, and a container where the liquid cell substance discharged from the nozzle is laminated to create a 3D structure.
Heated-liquid supply curing the liquid cell substance
A supply unit for supplying a heated liquid to the container, wherein the heated liquid cures the liquid cell substance.
Regulating heated-liquid amount to expose the top portion and submerge the remaining portion
The supply unit configured to regulate an amount of the heated liquid supplied to the container to cause a top portion of the 3D structure to be exposed and a remaining portion of the 3D structure to be submerged.
Heating the heated liquid to a gelation temperature
The heated liquid is heated to a gelation temperature so that the liquid cell substance discharged from the nozzle gels.
Using a cell culture medium as the heated liquid
The heated liquid is a cell culture medium.
Supplying heated liquid after a first layer is laminated
The supply unit is configured to supply heated liquid after a first layer of the liquid cell substance is laminated.
Including a heating unit for heating the container
The cell printing apparatus further includes a heating unit for heating the container.
Overall, the claims cover a cell printing apparatus where nozzle-discharge lamination is followed by curing using regulated heated liquid. The key claimed control is regulating the heated liquid amount so the top portion is exposed while the remaining portion is submerged, with dependent limitations specifying gelation temperature, optionally using a cell culture medium, providing timing after the first layer is laminated, and optionally heating the container.
Stated Advantages
Prevents layer slippage or collapse when the material has not reached gelation temperature.
Maintains sufficient curing heat as the structure height increases.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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