Method and apparatus for computer-aided tissue engineering for modeling, design and freeform fabrication of tissue scaffolds, constructs, and devices

• US 20060105011A1
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Drexel University
• Original Assignee: Drexel University
• Inventors: Sun, Wei, Nam, Jae Hyun
• Granted Patent: US 8,639,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/422
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/36 Polysaccharides; Derivatives thereof, e.g. gums, starch, alginate, dextrin, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, inulin, agar or pectin
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/52 Measuring, controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/106 using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/112 using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/393 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/02 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2513/00 3D culture
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/74 Alginate
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0062 General methods for three-dimensional culture
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0691 Vascular smooth muscle cells; 3D culture thereof, e.g. models of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4099 Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35134 3-D cad-cam
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49007 Making, forming 3-D object, model, surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/48 Analogue computers for specific processes, systems or devices, e.g. simulators

Abstract

A process and apparatus are provided for manufacturing complex parts and devices which utilize a CAD environment to design a part or device to be created (FIG. 1); Boolean, scaling, smoothing, mirroring, or other operations to modify the CAD design; a software interface to convert the CAD designed part (Data Process System) or device into a heterogeneous material and multi-part assembly model (Design Input Model) which can be used for multi-nozzle printing; and a multi-nozzle system to print the designed part or device using different, specialized nozzles (Tissue substitutes).

Claims

1. A process for manufacturing complex parts and devices comprising:

(a) utilizing a CAD environment to design a part or device to be created;

(b) converting the CAD designed part or device into a heterogeneous material and multi-part assembly model which can be used for multi-nozzle printing; and

(c) printing the designed part or device using different, specialized nozzles.

2. The process of claim 1 further comprising using Boolean, scaling, smoothing mirroring, or other operations to modify the CAD design prior to conversion into a heterogeneous material and multi-part assembly model.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein in step (a) data taken from MRI, CT or other patient specific data is imported into the CAD environment to design the part or device to be created.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein a biomimetic and non-biomimetic feature is designed into the part or device.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the part or device comprises a tissue engineering device and printing in step (d) involves direct deposition of cells or biological factors.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein direct cell deposition improves histological accuracy, cell ratios, and spatial patterning of cells in the part or device.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the part or device produced comprises an artificial organ, a tissue scaffold, an artificial vasculature or channel system, or a sample for cytotoxicity testing.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein the part or device produced comprises a biochip, biosensor, bionic, cybernetic, mechanoactive, or a bioactive tissue scaffold.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein the part or device is used in drug delivery.

10. A multi-nozzle biopolymer deposition apparatus comprising:

(a) a data processing system which processes a designed scaffold model and converts it into a layered process tool path;

(b) a motion control system driven by the layered process tool path; and

(c) a material delivery system comprising multiple nozzles of different types and sizes which deposits specified hydrogels with different viscosities thereby constructing a scaffold from the designed scaffold model.