Implantable bone scaffold printed at point of service
In June of 2019, Osseoprint 3D was granted a provisional patent for technology that allows bone scaffolds to be 3D printed aseptically at the point of service. Titled “Implantable bone scaffold printed at point of service, this patent is for a three dimensional (3D) printing apparatus to print an implantable bone scaffold (IBS) in an aseptic environment. The 3D printing apparatus includes a sterile cartridge. The sterile cartridge contains a sterile printing material, a print nozzle, and a plunger.
The 3D printing apparatus also includes a heater configured to indirectly heat the printing material. In addition, the 3D printing apparatus includes a cartridge receiver configured to retain the sterile cartridge. A sterile receiving plate is positioned below the print nozzle. A cover encompasses and maintains the sterile cartridge and the sterile receiving plate in an aseptic environment. A filter fan unit (FFU) overlays a section of the cover. Positive laminar filtered air flow created by the FFU maintains the aseptic environment inside a printing chamber. An ultraviolet light source irradiates the receiving plate. A movable diaphragm separates a printer mechanism, below the receiving plate, from the printing chamber.