A method for forming a thermoplastic body having regions with varied material composition and/or porosity. Powder blends comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a sacrificial porogen and an inorganic reinforcement or filler are molded to form complementary parts with closely toleranced mating surfaces. The parts are formed discretely, assembled and compression molded to provide a unitary article that is free from discernible boundaries between the assembled parts. Each part in the assembly has differences in composition and/or porosity, and the assembly has accurate physical features throughout the sections of the formed article, without distortion and nonuniformities caused by variable compaction and densification rates in methods that involve compression molding powder blends in a single step.

Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device for an anatomical structure may include a first beam, a second beam, and/or a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam. The first spring may be generally U-shaped and/or may include a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite a connecting portion.

A 3D printing assembly, system, and method for 3D printing a biomaterial may include a robotic arm end effector and a barrel clamp assembly. The robotic arm end effector is configured to move along one or more axes of movement for 3D printing. The barrel clamp assembly is distally coupled to the robotic arm end effector and includes a barrel clamp arm and a barrel clamp. The barrel clamp arm includes a top end coupled to the robotic arm end effector and a bottom end opposite to the top end. The bottom end is angled forward with respect to the top end. The barrel clamp is coupled to the bottom end of the barrel clamp arm and is configured to receive and clamp against a distal end of a printing syringe barrel for 3D printing.

Methods of making articles with a 3D printer using biomaterials that retain physical properties and biological activity are discussed. Methods can include providing a crosslinkable material and a biomaterial to a 3D printer, and crosslinking the materials to form an implant. Biomaterials can include, among other things, bone, or tissue.

An integrally-formed three-dimensional (3D) bio-printing system capable of alternate feeding of multiple materials, comprising: an optical imaging unit and a light path conversion unit, wherein the optical imaging unit comprises an image processing unit and a projection unit, the image processing unit segmenting a 3D modeling graphic of a printed subject to form image information, the projection unit converting the image information into one or more optical images, and the light path conversion unit projects the imaged light paths into bio-ink that can be cured by light, so that the projected image can cure the bio-ink by means of the focus of light.

The invention is for a synthetic composite for a bone graft comprising of: bio inert polymers comprising poly lactic acid, poly D, L-Lactic acid; bio active polymer consisting of polypropylene fumarate or diester of fumaric acid and propylene diol (1,2-Diol); and a bioactive inorganic component consisting of a metal fluorophosphates glass powder wherein the amount of the bioactive components is upto 30% (w/w) of the composite. The bioactive inorganic metal fluorophosphates glass powder of the composite is one of zinc fluorophosphate, magnesium fluorophosphate or silver fluorophosphate. The invention pertains to the method of making the scaffold, and also the 3D printed scaffold.

An artificial structure for promoting microalgae growth includes a 3D-printed structure formed by positioning a printing surface on a movable stage of a 3D bioprinter in contact with a bio-ink that includes a mixture of a pre-polymer material with one or more of cellulose-derived nanocrystals (CNC), and microalgae cells. By projecting modulated light onto the printing surface while moving the stage, the bio-ink is progressively polymerized to define layers of an artificial coral structure with microalgae cells disposed thereon, where the artificial coral structure is configured to scatter light within the structure.

A method of production of a tissue sealing patch is disclosed. The method comprises applying a vacuum to a heated work surface; applying a solution of a biocompatible polyurethane polymer to the work surface and spreading it over the work surface with a polymer blade; evaporating the solvent; heating the work surface above the softening temperature of the polymer; spreading powdered tissue sealant material over the polymer film; incorporating the tissue sealant material to a depth of 20-60 μm in the film by pressing on a release sheet placed over the powder and polymer film; removing the release sheet from the adhesive patch material; releasing the vacuum; cooling said work surface; and removing the adhesive patch material from said work surface. The biocompatible polymer preferably comprises PEG-caprolactone-lactic acid units connected by urethane linkages, the PEG having a molecular weight of 3000-3500 amu, and a CL:LA:PEG ratio of 34:2:1.

Computer implemented methods of producing a bone graft are provided. These methods include obtaining a 3-D image of an intended bone graft site; generating a 3-D digital model of the bone graft based on the 3-D image of the intended bone graft site, the 3-D digital model of the bone graft being configured to fit within a 3-D digital model of the intended bone graft site; storing the 3-D digital model on a database coupled to a processor, the processor having instructions for retrieving the stored 3-D digital model of the bone graft and for combining a carrier material with, in or on a bone material based on the stored 3-D digital model and for instructing a 3-D printer to produce the bone graft. A layered 3-D printed bone graft prepared by the computer implemented method is also provided.

A shaped article comprising a polymer-based resin derived from cellulose, wherein the polymer-based resin has an HDT of at least 95° C., a bio-derived content of at least 20 wt %, a notched izod impact strength of greater than 80 J/m and at least one of the following properties chosen from: flexural modulus of greater than 1900 MPa; a spiral flow length or at least 3.0 cm; a flex creep deflection of less than 12 mm; a transmission of at least 70%; a ΔE value of less than 25; or an L* color of at least 85.