Nozzle-Free Hypersonic Bio-printing: Enabling Precise 3D Tissues Construction with Enhanced Cell Survival

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Existing bioprinting methods struggle with precise, biocompatible arrangement of high-cell-concentration bioinks into 3D structures.
• Limitations in current techniques hinder cell growth, interactions, and overall function in engineered tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel bioprinting technology capable of precise, high-concentration cell deposition for functional tissue fabrication.
• To overcome the limitations of existing bioprinting methods, particularly regarding cell viability and structural integrity.

Main Methods:

• Development of a hypersonic droplet bio-printer featuring a gigahertz (GHz) bulk acoustic wave resonator in a microchannel.
• Real-time modulation of cell concentration via flow control and nozzle-free design to prevent clogging.
• Printing of droplets with varying sizes containing high concentrations of cells onto diverse substrates.

Main Results:

• Achieved 95% cell viability, surpassing inkjet and extrusion bioprinting methods.
• Demonstrated stable printing of high-concentration cells without nozzle clogging.
• Successfully fabricated various 3D structures with excellent cell viability as a proof of concept.

Conclusions:

• Hypersonic droplet printing offers a significant advancement in bioprinting technology.
• This technology enables the creation of functional native tissues, organoids, and disease models with high cell viability.
• The developed method provides a convenient approach for fabricating tissue models for clinical medicine and drug testing.