Method for 3d Printing of Vascularized Tissues and Organs

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This patent describes a novel 3D printing method to produce tissues and organs that have an integrated network of blood vessels (vascularized structures). The approach uses high-resolution droplet printing combined with specially formulated low-viscosity bio-inks (including 'capillary inks') that selectively solidify at the edges of tiny droplets, forming capillary networks as small as 10 µm in diameter. Electromagnetic waves (such as lasers or UV light) are applied to trigger precise cross-linking reactions. The system incorporates controlled nutrient supply during printing and enables mixing of multiple cell types, allowing photorealistic and highly detailed manufacturing of complex, functional biological tissues.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Production of vascularized organ transplants tailored for specific patients (e.g., liver, kidney, heart).
• Manufacturing of complex tissue models for pharmaceutical and toxicity testing, reducing the need for animal testing.
• Generation of customized tissue grafts for regenerative medicine (e.g., skin, cartilage, bone).
• Creation of organ-on-a-chip systems for disease modeling and drug development, using real human cells.
• Rapid prototyping of highly detailed tissue scaffolds for research in cell biology and developmental biology.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables printing of functional, life-sized tissues and organs with built-in capillary networks, addressing cell nutrition and viability issues in engineered tissues.
• Allows simultaneous and selective printing of multiple cell types with high spatial resolution, matching or exceeding stereolithography precision.
• Uses low-viscosity, photosensitive inks that support high-speed printing and prevent clogging of print heads.
• Permits direct integration of nutrient supply during printing, supporting immediate cell health and tissue maturation.
• Significantly reduces the need for animal testing by providing realistic, human-like tissue models for research and drug testing.
• Supports patient-specific tissue engineering using customizable bio-ink mixtures, facilitating personalized medicine and reducing transplant rejection risks.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a 3D printing method for producing vascularized tissues and organs requiring a droplet printer for producing photorealistic, high-resolution prints and an apparatus for applying undirected or directed electromagnetic waves. The method uses a novel capillary ink which cross-links only in the edge region of the ink droplets or undergoes a layer-forming reaction. Unbound capillary ink components are removed. The cavities created form a capillary network of diameters of up to approximately 10 µm. The invention also relates to a novel printer table for medium supply of the printed tissue during printing and a print head supply unit for individual mixing of the bio-inks from cell concentrate and different ink concentrates.