US 11,305,480 B2 · Methods and apparatus for 3D printed hydrogel materials

Abstract

There is provided a 3D printing system, methods, and materials for the 3D printing of objects that include a cured hydrogel material, an uncured hydrogel material, and a support material. The cured hydrogel material may define a scaffold for organs or other biological structures. The 3D printing system selectively deposits the hydrogel material and support material, dries the hydrogel material, and selectively applies a catalyst to the hydrogel material to selectively cure the hydrogel material. Once the 3D printing has completed, the uncured hydrogel material may be drained and the support material may be melted or dissolved leaving a scaffold of cured hydrogel material that may be infused with living cells of the desired organ or biological structure.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of forming a biological scaffold configured to be infused with living cells, the method comprising:

(1) selectively jetting hydrogel material from one or more printheads onto a build platform according to electronic design data of the scaffold to form a layer of hydrogel having a first thickness of from about 25-30 micrometers;
(2) drying the layer of hydrogel to remove excess water, thereby reducing a thickness of the layer of hydrogel to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness;
(3) selectively imaging the dried layer of hydrogel to provide cured portions and uncured portions of the dried layer of hydrogel, the cured portions forming structures of the scaffold on the order of one micrometer;
and
(4) repeating steps (1)-(3) a plurality of times to complete formation of the scaffold.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for 3D printed hydrogel materials

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for 3D printed hydrogel materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20