US 11,903,612 B2
Bioprinter and methods of using same
Ibrahim T. Ozbolat, North Liberty, IA (US); Howard Chen, Iowa City, IA (US); Yin Yu, Iowa City, IA (US); and Yahui Zhang, Iowa City, IA (US)
Assigned to University of Iowa Research Foundation, Iowa City, IA (US)
Appl. No. 15/034,004
Filed by UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, Iowa City, IA (US)
PCT Filed Nov. 4, 2014, PCT No. PCT/US2014/063915
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 3, 2016,
PCT Pub. No. WO2015/066705, PCT Pub. Date May 7, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/052,701, filed on Sep. 19, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/899,565, filed on Nov. 4, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/899,584, filed on Nov. 4, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2016/0288414 A1, Oct. 6, 2016
Int. Cl. B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/227 (2017.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); C12M 3/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/26 (2006.01); B41J 3/407 (2006.01); B41J 3/54 (2006.01); C09D 11/38 (2014.01); C09D 11/30 (2014.01); B29C 64/40 (2017.01); B29C 64/118 (2017.01); C09D 11/04 (2006.01); C09D 11/102 (2014.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B29K 105/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/3468 (2013.01) [B29C 64/118 (2017.08); B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B29C 64/227 (2017.08); B29C 64/40 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); B41J 3/407 (2013.01); B41J 3/543 (2013.01); C09D 11/04 (2013.01); C09D 11/102 (2013.01); C09D 11/30 (2013.01); C09D 11/38 (2013.01); C12M 21/08 (2013.01); C12M 33/00 (2013.01); B29K 2105/0061 (2013.01); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bioprinter for dispensing at least one biomaterial, comprising:
a processor configured to determine a desired tool path;
a support assembly;
at least one printer head, each printer head operatively coupled to the processor and comprising:
an arm assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the arm assembly being operatively coupled to the support assembly such that the arm assembly is selectively moveable relative to at least a first axis; and
a nozzle assembly operatively coupled to the distal portion of the arm assembly,
wherein the nozzle assembly is configured to receive and dispense the at least one biomaterial as the arm assembly is selectively moved relative to the first axis, and
wherein the processor is configured to selectively adjust the positioning of the arm assembly of each printer head relative to at least the first axis in accordance with the desired tool path,
wherein the nozzle assembly of a first printer head of the at least one printer head has a longitudinal axis and comprises:
an outer nozzle having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the inner surface of the outer nozzle defining a central bore and an inner diameter of the outer nozzle, the outer surface of the outer nozzle defining an inlet positioned in communication with the central bore of the outer nozzle, wherein the inner surface of the distal end of the outer nozzle defines an outlet of the outer nozzle in communication with the central bore of the outer nozzle, the outlet of the outer nozzle having a diameter;
an inner nozzle having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the outer surface of the inner nozzle defining an outer diameter of the inner nozzle, the inner surface of the inner nozzle defining a central bore, the inner surface of the proximal end of the inner nozzle defining an inlet of the inner nozzle, the inner surface of the distal end of the inner nozzle defining an outlet of the inner nozzle, wherein the inner nozzle is at least partially received within the central bore of the outer nozzle such that the outer nozzle and the inner nozzle have a common longitudinal axis that is in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle assembly, the outer diameter of the inner nozzle being less than the diameter of the outlet of the outer nozzle to thereby define a receiving space between the outer surface of the inner nozzle and the inner surface of the outer nozzle; and
wherein the inlet of the outer nozzle is configured to receive at least one biomaterial and deliver the at least one biomaterial to the receiving space, and wherein the outlet of the outer nozzle is configured to dispense the at least one biomaterial from within the receiving space as a tubular structure, and
wherein the inlet of the inner nozzle is configured to receive at least one biomaterial and deliver the at least one biomaterial to the central bore of the inner nozzle, and wherein the outlet of the inner nozzle is configured to dispense the at least one biomaterial from within the central bore of the inner nozzle as a cylindrical structure,
wherein the inner nozzle extends from the proximal end of the outer nozzle through the outlet of the outer nozzle such that the outlet of inner nozzle extends through the outlet of the outer nozzle.