Abstract: A method or apparatus for creating a three-dimensional tissue construct of a desired shape for repair or replacement of a portion of an organism. The method may comprise injecting at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The apparatus may comprise an injector configured to inject at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which may be a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The tissue construct may have a smallest feature size of ten micrometers or less.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for three-dimensionally printing. The method may comprise causing a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region using a focused energy source, and displacing the first material with a second material. The apparatus may comprise a container configured to hold a first material, a focused energy source configured to cause a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region, and an injector configured to displace the first material with a second material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which is a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The yield stress material may comprise a soft granular gel. The second material may comprise one or more cells.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for three-dimensionally printing. The method may comprise causing a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region using a focused energy source, and displacing the first material with a second material. The apparatus may comprise a container configured to hold a first material, a focused energy source configured to cause a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region, and an injector configured to displace the first material with a second material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which is a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The yield stress material may comprise a soft granular gel. The second material may comprise one or more cells.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for three-dimensionally printing. The method may comprise causing a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region using a focused energy source, and displacing the first material with a second material. The apparatus may comprise a container configured to hold a first material, a focused energy source configured to cause a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region, and an injector configured to displace the first material with a second material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which is a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The yield stress material may comprise a soft granular gel. The second material may comprise one or more cells.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for creating a three-dimensional tissue construct of a desired shape for repair or replacement of a portion of an organism. The method may comprise injecting at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The apparatus may comprise an injector configured to inject at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which may be a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The tissue construct may have a smallest feature size of ten micrometers or less.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for creating a three-dimensional tissue construct of a desired shape for repair or replacement of a portion of an organism. The method may comprise injecting at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The apparatus may comprise an injector configured to inject at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which may be a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The tissue construct may have a smallest feature size of ten micrometers or less.

Abstract: A micro-scale artificial gland is disclosed in the form of an independent unit for promoting biological activity. The artificial gland includes cells formed in a membrane enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir is a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells. The reservoir comprises a gas, a liquid, and a gel and preferably also contains nanoparticles, a buffer, a surfactant, and, a gel precursor. The reservoir may also contain cells. Nanoparticles may also surround the artificial gland to form a protective coating. A variety of methods are disclosed for making the artificial gland by directed assembly of cells into the artificial micro-gland by gel, liquid or bubble templating. All involve coating the surface of gel, droplet or bubble with the living cells and the stabilizing the cells on the surface of gels, droplets or bubbles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an artificial micro-gland having a continuous anisotropic membrane of two or more types of living cells. A first step includes forming a carrier fluid in a microchannel in a laminar flow of two distinct fluid flows. Another step includes introducing a template, which may itself be anisotropic, into the microchannel in a manner such that the template straddles the interface between the first fluid-flow and the second fluid-flow. In some embodiments two types of living cells within the template are separately attracted one of the fluid flows by the presence of an agent of taxis. In other embodiments, cells within one or the other of the fluid flows are attracted to agents within the template. Membranes form on the template and join together to form a complete cellular membrane around a reservoir.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for creating a three-dimensional tissue construct of a desired shape for repair or replacement of a portion of an organism. The method may comprise injecting at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The apparatus may comprise an injector configured to inject at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which may be a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The tissue construct may have a smallest feature size of ten micrometers or less.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for three-dimensionally printing. The method may comprise causing a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region using a focused energy source, and displacing the first material with a second material. The apparatus may comprise a container configured to hold a first material, a focused energy source configured to cause a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region, and an injector configured to displace the first material with a second material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which is a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The yield stress material may comprise a soft granular gel. The second material may comprise one or more cells.

Abstract: A method is used for making an artificial micro-gland by taxis. A monodisperse multiple emulsion is produced with a first fluid; a second fluid confined within the first fluid; a third fluid within the second fluid. Interfaces between the fluids permit living cells dispersed in the one of the fluids to migrate towards an adjacent fluid having a different concentration of an agent affecting the metabolic activity of the living cells. Waiting, usually about 30 minutes, allows the living cells to migrate to the interface, forming the continuous membrane. Once formed, the artificial micro-gland is removed from the remains of the emulsion. The artificial micro-gland may also be given a second layer of different cells when the emission of the cells of the artificial micro-gland is used as the agent to attract the different cells. The method may also be used to produce an artificial micro-gland within an artificial micro-gland.

Abstract: A method is used for making an artificial micro-gland by taxis. A monodisperse multiple emulsion is produced with a first fluid; a second fluid confined within the first fluid; a third fluid within the second fluid. Interfaces between the fluids permit living cells dispersed in the one of the fluids to migrate towards an adjacent fluid having a different concentration of an agent affecting the metabolic activity of the living cells. Waiting, usually about 30 minutes, allows the living cells to migrate to the interface, forming the continuous membrane. Once formed, the artificial micro-gland is removed from the remains of the emulsion. The artificial micro-gland may also be given a second layer of different cells when the emission of the cells of the artificial micro-gland is used as the agent to attract the different cells. The method may also be used to produce an artificial micro-gland within an artificial micro-gland.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an artificial micro-gland having a continuous anisotropic membrane of two or more types of living cells. A first step includes forming a carrier fluid in a microchannel in a laminar flow of two distinct fluid flows. Another step includes introducing a template, which may itself be anisotropic, into the microchannel in a manner such that the template straddles the interface between the first fluid-flow and the second fluid-flow. In some embodiments two types of living cells within the template are separately attracted one of the fluid flows by the presence of an agent of taxis. In other embodiments, cells within one or the other of the fluid flows are attracted to agents within the template. Membranes form on the template and join together to form a complete cellular membrane around a reservoir.

Abstract: A micro-scale artificial gland is disclosed in the form of an independent unit for promoting biological activity. The artificial gland includes cells formed in a membrane enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir is a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells. The reservoir comprises a gas, a liquid, and a gel and preferably also contains nanoparticles, a buffer, a surfactant, and, a gel precursor. The reservoir may also contain cells. Nanoparticles may also surround the artificial gland to form a protective coating. A variety of methods are disclosed for making the artificial gland by directed assembly of cells into the artificial micro-gland by gel, liquid or bubble templating. All involve coating the surface of gel, droplet or bubble with the living cells and the stabilizing the cells on the surface of gels, droplets or bubbles.