Exploring the Patent Landscape and Innovation of Hydrogel-based Bioinks Used for 3D Bioprinting

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the patent situation for hydrogel- based bioinks used for 3D bioprinting globally. It encapsulates information which could be used as a reference by researchers in the fields of 3D bioprinting, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and biomedical engineering, as well as those interested in biomaterials, especially in the formulation of hydrogels. It can also inform policy discussions, strategic research planning, or technology transfer in this area. The findings presented hereinafter are considered novel research aspects regarding the used hydrogels, their preparation methods, and their formulations, as well as the 3D bioprinting process using hydrogels. Furthermore, the novel part, synthesized patents, is regarded as a breakthrough in hydrogel- based bioinks.

The following research aspects of this study are based on data collection from selected patent databases. The search results are then analyzed according to publication years, classification, inventors, applicants, and owners, as well as jurisdictions.

Based on the earliest priority date, it is possible to precisely assume that 2004 is considered the starting year of patenting of hydrogel-based bioinks. Furthermore, 2020 was the year with the most patent documents. According to the findings, the United States, China, and the Republic of Korea are the most prolific countries in terms of patenting on hydrogel-based bioinks. The most prolific patenting companies are from the United States, Sweden, and Australia, while universities from the Republic of Korea and the United States are the academic institutions leading the way. Most inventions of hydrogel- based bioinks intended for hydrogels or hydrocolloids used as materials for prostheses or for coating prostheses are characterized by their function or physical properties.

The state has been reviewed by introducing what has been patented concerning hydrogelbased bioinks. Knowledge clusters and expert driving factors indicate that the research based on biomaterials, tissue engineering, and biofabrication is concentrated in the most common patent documents. Finally, this paper, which gives a competitive analysis of the past, present, and future trends in hydrogel-based bioinks, leads to various recommendations that could help one to plan and innovate research strategies.