INHOUSE MULTI-MATERIAL NOZZLE SYSTEM DESIGN AND FABRICATION FOR 3D BIOPRINTING PROCESS: NEXT STEP

Three-dimensional (3D) bio-printing is a rapidly growing field attempting to recreate functional tissues for medical and pharmaceutical purposes. The printability of multiple materials encapsulating various living cells can take this emerging effort closer to tissue regeneration. In our earlier research, we designed a Y-like nozzle connector system capable of switching materials between more than one filament with continuous deposition. The device had a fixed switching angle, was made from plastic, and was suitable for one-time use. This paper presents the extension of our previously proposed nozzle system. We considered 300, 450, 600, and 900 angles (vertical and tilted) between the two materials and chose stainless steel as a material to fabricate those nozzle connectors. The overall material switching time was recorded and compared to analyze the effects of those various angles. Our previously developed hybrid hydrogel (4% Alginate and 4% Carboxymethyl Cellulose, CMC) was used as a test material to flow through the nozzle system. These in-house fabricated nozzle connectors are reusable, easy to clean, and sterile, allowing smooth material transition and flow.