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Modified inkjet printer for multi-channel bioprinting

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Project Overview

Summary
Bio-printing or the process of depositing living cells using the printer technology brings the dream of creating an artificial organ through tissue-engineering closer to reality. Several printer technologies including the laser-jet, bubble-jet, and ink-jet methods have been explored for bio-printing. Of these, the ink-jet technology where the ink is pressure-ejected by a piezo-electric device appears to be least damaging to live cells. Much advance has been made but the ability to eject a precise mixture of different bio-ink (e.g. different cells or growth factors) to create an optimal environment for cell growth has been under utilized.

The goal of this project is to modify a readily available inexpensive commercial ink-jet printer with the following design goals: 1. create a mechanical interface for translating the paper-advance information delivered to the printer to translate a plate for receiving the deposited cells (y-axis translation), 2. modify the ink-jet printer head to accommodate "bio-ink" while providing the x-axis translation for depositing the bio-ink, 3. control the duration of bio-ink ejection to accommodate bio-ink of different viscosity, 4. allow a controlled mixture of different "color" (i.e. growth factors or different cells) bio-ink, and 5. develop a user friendly software interface (Visual Basic preferred)for controlling the bio-printer. An additional capacity for z-axis translation will enhance the printer to allow 3D printing of biomaterials.

Design and development of this bio-printing device and making it available to a larger scientific audience will advance the field of tissue engineering.

Team Picture

Team members from left to right: Tyler Max, Evan Lange, Jack Goss, and Karl Kabarowski
Team members from left to right: Tyler Max, Evan Lange, Jack Goss, and Karl Kabarowski

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Evan Lange - Team Leader
  • Tyler Max - Communicator
  • Jack Goss - BSAC & BPAG
  • Karl Kabarowski - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. Paul Thompson - Advisor
  • Dr. Jay Yang - Client

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