# US 10,245,614 B2 · Imprinter for conformal coating of three-dimensional surfaces > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,614 B2 - Document ID: US10245614B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/937,075 - Filed: 2015-11-10 - Published: 2016-05-12 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-11 - Assignees: The Regents of the University of California - Applicants: The Regents of the University of California - Inventors: Lawrence Kulinsky; Arash Kheradvar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245614B2 ## CPC - B05D 1/02: performed by spraying - A61L 27/24: Collagen - A61L 27/3633: {Extracellular matrix [ECM]} - A61L 27/38: {containing added animal cells (organs or tissue containing native cells A61L27/36)} - A61L 27/54: Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances {(A61L27/227 takes precedence)} - B05D 1/26: performed by applying the liquid or other fluent material from an outlet device in contact with, or almost in contact with, the surface - B05D 1/28: performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers - A61L 2300/414: Growth factors - C08G 61/02: Macromolecular compounds containing only carbon atoms in the main chain of the macromolecule, e.g. polyxylylenes - C08G 2261/146: Side-chains containing halogens - C08G 2261/3424: non-conjugated, e.g. paracyclophanes or xylenes - C09D 165/04: Polyxylylenes - B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - C08G: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) ## Abstract Disclosed is an imprinter device comprising an array of adjacent applicators that are arranged so that longitudinal axes of each of the adjacent applicators are parallel to each other, wherein the applicators are configured to make contact with and conform to a surface of a three dimensional (3D) object. In some embodiments, the applicators move independently of each other with respect to the surface of the object, and wherein the applicators are configured to apply a material over the object while in proximity to the surface of the object. Also disclosed are methods of conformal coating a surface of an object. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imprinter device comprising an array of adjacent applicators that are arranged so that longitudinal axes of each of the adjacent applicators are parallel to each other, wherein the applicators are configured to make contact with and conform to a surface of a three dimensional (3D) object, and wherein the applicators are configured to move independently of each other with respect to the surface of the object. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein the applicators are configured to apply a material to the object while in proximity to the surface of the object. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein the applicators are positioned in a pattern having an inter-applicator spacing of from 1-500 μm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The imprinter device according to claim 3, wherein the pattern is repeating grid pattern. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to apply a force to each of the applicators, wherein each of the applicators move perpendicularly towards the object along the longitudinal axes of the applicators, and wherein each of the applicators contact the surface of the object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The imprinter device according to claim 5, wherein the force applied to each applicator is provided by a device or system selected from the group consisting of a spring, a lever, a hydraulic system and an air pressure system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein, at a given time, at least one applicator may dispense a material while other applicators do not dispense the same material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein each applicator in the array of applicators is connected to a different supply line configured to conduct said material through each applicator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The imprinter device according to claim 8, wherein each applicator is individually matched to a corresponding, dedicated pump. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein the array of applicators is configured so that different applicators can dispense different types of material to the object. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein the array contains at least 10 applicators. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein the applicators are selected from the group consisting of a rod having a solid end that contacts the surface of the object, a hollow nozzle and an applicator comprising a nozzle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The imprinter device according to claim 1, wherein the type, speed, rate, and/or pattern of the dispensed material is controlled by a computer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method of conformal coating a surface of an object, the method comprising contacting the imprinter according to claim 1 with a surface of the object, wherein each applicator in the array of applicators conforms to a position of the surface of the object that the applicator contacts, and dispensing a material from one or more applicators in the array of applicators and so that the material is applied to the surface of the object at position(s) contacted by the applicator(s). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the material is dispensed while each applicator in the array of applicators is in contact with the surface of the object. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein different applicators in the array of applicators dispense different types of material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the material dispensed from the one or more applicators comprises a biological macromolecule and/or a biological cell. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein said biological macromolecule is selected from the group consisting of a extracellular matrix protein, a growth hormone and a collagen. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the material dispensed onto the object comprises a biological cell, and wherein the biological cell is cultured and grown in the object. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14 wherein the material dispensed from the one or more applicators does not contain a biological macromolecule and/or a biological living cell. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, wherein cross-linkable polymers or resins are dispensed from individually-controlled applicators at different pressures and/or rates. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, wherein a dispensed cross-linkable polymer or resin is cross-linked by an ambient UV source. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the object is a biological scaffold. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the object is a non-biological substrate.