Method for producing 3D, biocompatible polymer scaffold with a cell-filled cavity
Inventors
Kloke, Lutz • Thomas, Alexander • Lam, Tobias
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11993767-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A 3D scaffold of a biocompatible polymer and colonized with biological cells is provided. The biological cells can be cultured to form a 3D cell culture construct that closely approximates a physiological architecture. A method for producing the 3D scaffold colonized with biological cells is also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to constructing a 3D scaffold comprising a biocompatible polymer using a lithographic 3D printing method, wherein the 3D scaffold has an at least partially covered cavity. The scaffold polymer is obtained by rendering a biopolymer as a starting substance photopolymerizable or photocrosslinkable by introducing a photoreactive group. The cavity is intended to be colonized by biological cells, supported by the scaffold structure.
The lithographic construction is carried out by stereolithographic layer-by-layer curing using focused electromagnetic radiation. The curing can include focusing the electromagnetic radiation in a first focal plane and, additionally, in a second focal plane different from the first, including the use of different photopolymerizable or photocrosslinkable substances. This construction enables an at least partially covered cavity and undercuts/overhanging structures in the scaffold.
After construction, the at least partially covered cavity is filled with a suspension containing biological cells to colonize the 3D scaffold. The filled scaffold is then cultured to form a 3D cell culture construct approximating a physiological architecture. The resulting construct can be penetrated by additional cells, viruses, bacteria, enzymes, or active substances, and may include internal structures such as outlet openings, columns, grids, or crosspieces.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: a method claim and a product claim. The independent claims center on two inventive features: lithographically 3D-printed, photoreactive-group modified biopolymer scaffolds with at least partially covered cavities; and colonization of those cavities using a suspension containing biological cells.
Lithographic 3D-printed biocompatible polymer scaffold with covered cavity from photoreactive-group modified biopolymer
A method including constructing a 3D scaffold comprising a biocompatible polymer using a lithographic 3D printing method, the 3D scaffold having an at least partially covered cavity and wherein the biocompatible polymer is obtained by rendering a biopolymer as a starting substance photopolymerizable or photocrosslinkable by introducing a photoreactive group.
Colonization by suspension of biological cells filling the at least partially covered cavity
A method including filling the at least partially covered cavity with a suspension containing biological cells to colonize the 3D scaffold.
Multiple-layer lithographic 3D-printed 3D scaffold defining a covered cavity from photoreactive-group modified biopolymer
A 3D scaffold comprising multiple layers of a biocompatible polymer, the multiple layers of the biocompatible polymer formed by a lithographic 3D printing method and defining an at least partially covered cavity and wherein the biocompatible polymer is obtained by rendering a biopolymer as a starting substance photopolymerizable or photocrosslinkable by introducing a photoreactive group.
Cell-filled cavity colonizing the scaffold
A 3D scaffold further comprising a suspension containing biological cells filling the at least partially covered cavity to colonize the 3D scaffold.
Across both independent claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of a lithographically 3D-printed, photopolymerizable/photocrosslinkable biocompatible polymer scaffold with an at least partially covered cavity and colonization by a suspension containing biological cells filling that covered cavity.
Stated Advantages
Reproducibility and parallelism.
User-accessible colonization without lithographic bioprinting access.
Ability to culture suspension cells and create vascular structures without active shaking.
Optical tracking via transparency.
Longer culturing times.
Improved suitability for in vitro testing including antimicrobial, viral, and pharmaceutical testing.
Documented Applications
In vitro testing, including antimicrobial testing, viral testing, and pharmaceutical testing.
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