Heterogeneous filaments,methods of producing the same, scaffolds, methods of producing the same, droplets, and methods of producing the same

Abstract

One aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a heterogeneous filament. The method includes applying pressure to a plurality of filament components to move the filament components into a common outlet channel. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of fabricating a scaffold. The method includes producing a plurality of filaments according to the methods described herein. Another aspect of the invention provides a scaffold produced according to the methods described herein. Another aspect of the invention provides a heterogeneous filament including a plurality of adjacent filament components. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a droplet. The method includes: positioning a printing tip in proximity to a cross-linking liquid; applying pressure to one or more liquids to produce a droplet extending beyond outside of the printing tip; and contacting the droplet with the cross-linking liquid, thereby producing a droplet.

1 . A method of producing a heterogeneous filament, the method comprising:
 applying pressure to a plurality of filament components to move the filament components into a common outlet channel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filament components contact each other in the common outlet channel, but remain substantially unmixed. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filament components contact each other in the common outlet channel and mix. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filament components contact each other in the common outlet channel and mix to form one or more concentration gradients between adjacent filament components. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filament components is selected from the group consisting of: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filament components include one or more selected from the group consisting of: a polymer, a solution, a cell-laden solution, a chemically reactive solution, an aqueous solution, sodium alginate solutions, a sacrificial support material, a cell, alginate, a cross-linker, a cross-linking solution, a calcium chloride solution, and a hydrogel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure is generated by a pump. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the pump is a syringe pump. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous filament has a one-dimensional pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous filament has a two-dimensional pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous filament has a three-dimensional pattern. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous filament is symmetrical along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous filament is asymmetrical along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of fabricating a scaffold, the method comprising:
 producing a plurality of filaments according to the method of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         17 . A scaffold produced according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A heterogeneous filament comprising:
 a plurality of adjacent filament components.   
     
     
         19 . The heterogeneous filament of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of filament components contact each other in a common outlet channel, but remain substantially unmixed. 
     
     
         20 . The heterogeneous filament of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of filament components contact each other in a common outlet channel and mix. 
     
     
         21 . The heterogeneous filament of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of filament components contact each other in a common outlet channel and mix to form one or more concentration gradients between adjacent filament components. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of producing a droplet, the method comprising:
 positioning a printing tip in proximity to a cross-linking liquid;   applying pressure to one or more liquids to produce a droplet extending beyond outside of the printing tip; and   contacting the droplet with the cross-linking liquid;   thereby producing a droplet.   
     
     
         25 - 36 . (canceled)