Biomanufacturing system, method, and 3D bioprinting hardware in a reduced gravity environment
A method, apparatus, and system are provided for the printing and maturation of living tissue in an Earth-referenced reduced gravity environment such as that found on a spacecraft or on other celestial bodies. The printing may be three-dimensional structures. The printed structures may be manufactured from low viscosity biomaterials.
1. A bioreactor for receiving a printed tissue comprising:
a housing having one or more manifolds therein adapted to engage a printed tissue;
the one or more manifolds having each one of
a plurality of perfusion ports in fluid communication with a printed tissue;
one or more electrical stimulation devices; and
a mechanical stimulation device connected thereto,
wherein at least one of the one or more manifolds contains the plurality of perfusion ports defined by one or more needles; and
wherein the one or more electrical stimulation devices is an exterior coating to the one or more manifolds.
2. The bioreactor of claim 1 further comprising a print platform.
3. The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein the mechanical stimulation device moves the one or more manifolds between a compressed position and an extended position.
4. The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein the exterior coating includes one or more needles.
5. The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein the one or more manifolds include an intake manifold and an outlet manifold.
6. The bioreactor of claim 5 wherein at least one of the intake manifold and the outlet manifold includes one or more needles defining the plurality of perfusion ports.
7. The bioreactor of claim 5 wherein at least one of the intake manifold and the outlet manifold includes one or more channels in communication with the plurality of perfusion ports.
8. The bioreactor of claim 5 wherein at least one of the intake manifold and the outlet manifold are moveable relative to each other.
9. The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrical stimulation devices include a conductive material positioned on one or more surfaces of the one or more manifolds.
10. The bioreactor of claim 9 wherein the conductive material includes one or more needles projecting and adapted to engage a printed tissue.
11. The bioreactor of claim 1 wherein the mechanical stimulation device includes a drive mechanism moving at least one of the one or more manifolds.
12. The bioreactor of claim 1 further comprising one or more air traps in fluid communication with the plurality of perfusion ports.
13. The bioreactor of claim 1 further comprising one or more detachable feed bags and waste bags.