# US 9,517,128 B2 · Multi-functional hybrid devices/structures using 3D printing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,128 B2 - Document ID: US9517128B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/203,523 - Filed: 2014-03-10 - Published: 2014-09-11 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-08 - Assignees: The Trustees of Princeton University - Applicants: Michael C. McAlpine; Manu Sebastian-Mannoor; Yong Lin Kong; Blake N Johnson - Inventors: Michael C. McAlpine; Manu Sebastian-Mannoor; Yong Lin Kong; Blake N Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517128B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/18: Internal ear or nose parts, e.g. ear-drums {(implants for middle ear ventilation or drainage A61F11/202)} - A61L 27/14: Macromolecular materials - 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)} - B29C 64/112: using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - A61F 2002/183: {Ear parts} - A61L 2300/252: Polypeptides, proteins, e.g. glycoproteins, lipoproteins, cytokines - A61L 2300/258: Genetic materials, DNA, RNA, genes, vectors, e.g. plasmids - H04R 2225/77: Design aspects, e.g. CAD, of hearing aid tips, moulds or housings - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - 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) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A bioelectronic device and method of making is disclosed. The device includes a scaffold formed via 3D printing. The device also includes a biologic and an electronic device formed via 3D printing, the biologic and electronic device being interweaved with or coupled to the scaffold. The electronic component may e.g., include at least one of hard conductors, soft conductors, insulators and semiconductors. The scaffold may be formed of at least one of synthetic polymers and natural biological polymers. The biologic may include at least one of animal cells, plant cells, cellular organelles, proteins and DNA (including RNA). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bioelectronic device comprising: a scaffold formed via 3D printing; and a bioelectronic component formed via 3D printing and comprising: a cell-seeded matrix interwoven with the scaffold; an insulating material; and a conducting material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the scaffold is formed of at least one of synthetic polymers and natural biological polymers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bioelectronic component comprises at least one of animal cells, plant cells, cellular organelles, proteins, DNA or RNA. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bioelectronic component is formed of laser curable materials. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein bioelectronic component is formed from a polymer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bioelectronic component is formed from nano or micro-scale integrated electronic components. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the scaffold is generally formed into the shape of an external animal anatomical feature. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the scaffold is generally formed into the shape of internal animal or plant anatomical conduit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the scaffold is generally formed into the shape of plant structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bioelectronic component has electronic material properties that are modulated during printing via Peltier-based stage heating. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the scaffold has structural and geometric features that are reduced to micron-scale via application of resistive heating of material syringes and extrusion tips. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 the scaffold is cured via heat or light. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bioelectronic component comprises a semiconductor device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the semiconductor device is a light emitting diode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bioelectronic device comprises a light harvesting structure formed via 3D printing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bioelectronic device includes hydrogel-based conductive elements arranged into active capacitive components. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the bioelectronic device include a piezoelectric element, (e.g, actuators, sensors, and printed robotics). ### Claim 18 A method of forming a bioelectronic device, the method comprising: forming a scaffold via 3D printing; forming a bioelectronic component via 3D printing by printing: a cell-seeded matrix interwoven with the scaffold; an insulating material; and a conducting material. ### Claim 19 A method of forming a bioelectronic device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first component comprising a biological material; providing a second component comprising a conductive or semiconductive material; generating a bioelectronic construct by depositing at least the first component and the second component in one or more patterns defined by a predetermined print path. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: providing a third component comprising a biocompatible material adapted for supporting the bioelectronic device; depositing the third component in one or more patterns defined by a predetermined print path; and immersing the construct in a culture media. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of: providing at least one additional component; and depositing the at least one component in one or more patterns defined by a predetermined print path.