Implantable bone scaffold printed at point of service

A three dimensional (3D) printing apparatus to print an implantable bone scaffold (IBS) comprising:

• a sterile cartridge, wherein the sterile cartridge includes a printing material, a print nozzle, a cylindrical body, and a plunger;
• a heater configured to indirectly heat the printing material;
• a cartridge receiver configured to retain the sterile cartridge;
• a sterile receiving plate positioned below the print nozzle, wherein the sterile receiving plate is movable and detachable;
• an ultraviolet light source configured to emit an ultraviolet light directed toward the sterile receiving plate and maintain an aseptic environment;
• a cover, wherein
• the cover is configured to encompass and maintain the sterile cartridge and the sterile receiving plate in the aseptic environment;
• a filter fan unit overlaying a section of the cover.

A method to print an implantable bone scaffold (IBS) with a three dimensional (3D) printer, the method comprising:

• receiving a sterile cartridge within a cartridge receiver, wherein the sterile cartridge includes a biodegradable printing material, a plunger, a cylindrical body, and a print nozzle;
• receiving a printing instruction to print the IBS;
• querying a particle counter to determine a particle count within a cover encompassing the sterile cartridge and a sterile receiving plate;
• receiving the particle count, wherein the particle count is determined as below a threshold;
• maintaining an aseptic environment within the cover by activating the ultraviolet light source and emitting an ultraviolet towards the sterile receiving plate;
• activating the heater to indirectly heat the biodegradable printing material;
• pressing the plunger on the sterile cartridge to extrude the biodegradable material from the print nozzle;
• and
• printing the IBS by moving the sterile receiving plate positioned below the print nozzle and depositing the biodegradable material on the sterile receiving plate based on the printing instruction.