Modular light source for curing of 3D printed biological and engineered materials

Inventors

Cambron, Scott • Blum, Andrew Davis

Assignees

Advanced Solutions Life Sciences LLC

Abstract

A modular light for removably attaching to a bio-printer robot end effector, where the light includes: an annular modular light ring housing with an annular opening for receiving the end effector of the bioprinting robot; the housing substantially surrounding a dispensing tip of the end effector; a power supply interface to receive electrical power from the end effector; a plurality of LEDs positioned annularly around the end effector within the annular modular light ring housing, where the plurality of LEDs are spaced in at least two annular rows, where each of the at least two annular rows are at a unique elevational position within the annular modular light ring housing with respect to a light output plane of the annular modular light ring housing; the LEDs are in electrical communication with the power supply interface; and a controller communicatively coupled with the LEDs and the power supply interface.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a modular light configured to removably attach to a bio-printing robot end effector. The modular light includes an annular modular light ring housing with an annular opening configured to receive the end effector, with the housing substantially surrounding a dispensing tip. The annular modular light ring housing is removably replaceable around the dispensing tip and is retained in place on the end effector using a coupling.

The modular light further includes a plurality of LEDs positioned annularly around the end effector within the annular modular light ring housing. The LEDs are spaced in at least two annular rows, where each row is at a unique elevational position within the housing with respect to a light output plane. The light output is generated with LED row information and LED sector information, and the LEDs are driven at a frequency to generate one or more light output characteristics.

A power supply interface receives electrical power from the bio-printing robot end effector, and at least one controller is communicatively coupled with the LEDs and the power supply interface. The controller receives from a user interface one or more light output characteristics or curing data including one or more light output characteristics. The controller drives the plurality of LEDs defined by LED row information and LED sector information at a frequency to generate the selected light output characteristics.

The independent claims also recite an annular modular light ring housing having a light emitting plate directed outward away from the end effector in the direction of a dispensing tip. In that claim set, the plurality of LEDs are individually controllable in unique quadrants, and the controller receives curing data from the user interface to drive the LEDs at a frequency to generate the one or more light output characteristics.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims define a modular annular LED light ring attachable to a bio-printing robot end effector, with controller-driven light output generation. The claims present four inventive feature sets: removable annular housing, power supply and controller-driven row/sector output, elevationally separated annular LED rows, and an outward-directed light emitting plate with quadrant control.

Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a modular annular LED light ring removably attachable around a bio-printing robot dispensing tip, powered through a power supply interface, and controlled by a controller that receives user interface light output characteristics or curing data and drives annular LED rows and LED sectors, including quadrant control.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications