Temperature-controlled multi-material overprinting

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting method and system are disclosed. The method includes disposing/immersing a printing platform or surface into a first bioink, such as a bioink resin, curing one or more layer of the first bioink resin onto the printing platform or surface, and removing the printing platform or surface from the first bioink resin. The process is repeated with a second bioink resin such that the second bioink resin is cured on top of the one or more layer of first bioink resin, and can be further repeated with a third or even fourth bioink resin. By varying constituents of one or more or each bioink resin (such as living cell type or polymer), complex, multilayered tissues can be engineered. A system capable of performing the method is also disclosed.

1 . A system for three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, comprising:
 a printing platform or surface;   one or more container;   one or more source of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light;   one or more actuator capable of horizontal, vertical, and/or rotary movement of the printing platform or surface, the one or more container and/or the one or more source of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light; and   a controller capable of sending commands to the one or more source of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light and the one or more actuator in a manner sufficient to build a 3D structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to perform the steps of:
 a) positioning a first container below the printing platform or surface;   b) lowering the printing platform or surface into the first container;   c) exposing the printing platform, surface or portion thereof to the source of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light in the presence of a first bioink in a manner to form one or more first layer of a 3D structure;   d) raising the printing platform or surface from the first container;   e) positioning a second container below the printing platform or surface;   f) lowering the printing platform or surface into the second container;   g) rinsing the 3D structure or exposing the printing platform, surface or portion thereof to the source of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light in the presence of a second bioink in a manner to form one or more subsequent layer of a 3D structure;   h) raising the printing platform or surface from the second container; and   i) optionally repeating steps e) through h) with one or more additional substances and optionally one or more additional containers to further rinse or build upon the 3D structure.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more actuator is configured to:
 raise and lower the printing platform or surface by way of vertical and/or rotary motion;   position the one or more container below the printing platform or surface by way of horizontal and/or rotary motion.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more source of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light is one or more digital light processing (DLP) projector positioned or capable of being positioned above, below, and/or at one or more sides of the printing platform or surface and/or one or more of the containers. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the printing platform or surface is capable of inflation and/or deflation. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the 3D structure comprises a bio-overprinted surface capable of acting as a bioreactor for tissue stimulation. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 one or more temperature control unit in operable communication with:
 the printing platform or surface; 
 one or more of the containers; and/or 
 a platform or stage on which one or more of the containers is disposed. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising one or more device configured for extruding or spraying one or more materials, cells, drugs, nanofibers and/or therapeutic agents between and/or on one or more of the first or subsequent layers of the 3D structure. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actuator is a pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and/or mechanical actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises one or more processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising one or more 3D files having instructions capable of being read by the processor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tank of compressed air or inert gas or air or a gas compression mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . A system for bioprinting, comprising:
 a printing platform or surface;   first and second containers;   one or more source of electromagnetic radiation;   one or more actuator capable of horizontal, vertical, and/or rotary movement of the printing platform or surface, the first and/or second containers, and/or the one or more source of electromagnetic radiation; and   a controller capable of sending commands to the one or more source of electromagnetic radiation and the one or more actuator in a manner sufficient to build a structure.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the system is configured to perform the steps of:
 a) exposing the printing platform, surface or portion thereof to the source of electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a first bioink in a manner to form one or more first layer of a structure;   b) rinsing the structure or exposing the printing platform, surface or portion thereof to the source electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a second bioink in a manner to form one or more subsequent layer of a structure; and   c) optionally repeating steps a) and b) with one or more additional substances and optionally one or more additional containers to further rinse or build upon the structure.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more source of electromagnetic radiation is one or more light source. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more source of electromagnetic radiation is one or more digital light processing (DLP) projector. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the printing platform or surface is capable of inflation and/or deflation. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more digital light processing (DLP) projector is positioned or capable of being positioned above, below, and/or at one or more sides of the printing platform or surface and/or one or more of the containers. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more device configured for extruding or spraying one or more materials, cells, drugs, nanofibers and/or therapeutic agents between and/or on one or more layers of the structure. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller comprises one or more processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising one or more 3D files having instructions capable of being read by the processor. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a tank of compressed air or inert gas or air or a gas compression mechanism.