Abstract: A multi-material printer for using multiple materials, e.g., bioinks, to quickly fabricate structures, such as high-throughput screening microfluidic chips. The printer’s light projector for emits light in an exposure sequence to cure material in an additive manufacturing process. The printer further includes a motion stage operable to move a build platform into and out of the reservoir in coordination with the exposure sequence. The printer further includes an indexing stage having a work table for supporting the reservoir. The indexing stage is operable to selectively align the build platform with multiple different materials of the reservoir. The multiple materials may be arranged at distinct angular positions within a single reservoir, and the indexing stage may be operable to rotate the work table to align the build platform with different materials during the exposure sequence for a quick transition among different materials without refilling of materials, exchange of reservoirs, etc.

Abstract: A mixing injector for a multi-material printer. The injector defines coaxial passages for passing different material components into a mixing portion. The injector defines at least one opening, in a sidewall of at least one of the coaxial passages, to provide fluid communication between the passages, e.g., before/upstream from a mixing portion. Such openings permit and promote material component flow laterally, transversely to a direction of elongation of the coaxial passages, and transversely to a principal direction of flow of the material components. This is believed to create a degree of turbulence in the flow of the material components that enhances mixing of the material components, and provides for enhanced mixing of the component materials. Accordingly, for example, cross-linking may begin to occur before entering the mixing region. The injector may be structured to provide any desired number of passages and openings to provide a desired degree of mixing.

Abstract: Compact, light-weight, handheld printer devices are capable of delivering multi-part materials in mixed form, with controllable dwell-time within the device to allow for a desired amount of physical mixing and chemical cross-linking, while also allowing for deposition of the material directly onto a deposition site. A pen-style printer having a slim but elongated form factor is particularly suitable for depositing biomaterials directly onto a surgical site in the throat. The device may be configured to receive and dispense materials directly from conventional syringes. The printer device may be configured for dispensing and mixing materials having two or more component parts, and may include a leadscrew mechanism providing mechanical advantage, for dispensing higher-viscosity materials, and/or an enhanced degree of precision in dispensing a quantity of material. The mixing time and quantities can be controlled by varying one or more of syringe size and/or injector passage size and mixing chamber length.