Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for freeform extrusion-based additive manufacturing via a robotic arm. In specific aspects, methods are particularly provided for minimally invasive, intracorporeal three-dimensional printing of biocompatible materials. An end effector of a robotic arm includes a sharp member and a reservoir filled with a printing material. The provided method may include piercing a substrate with the sharp member. A bulb or micro-bolus of material may be extruded beneath the substrate surface to act as an anchor. The end effector may be manipulated to extrude biomaterial along a printing path. Periodically along the printing path, the sharp member is used to pierce the substrate surface create additional respective anchors. In some instances, the method may terminate after extruding material to form a single layer construct. In other instances, the method includes forming one or more layers on top of the initial base layer anchored to the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for freeform extrusion-based additive manufacturing via a robotic arm. In specific aspects, methods are particularly provided for minimally invasive, intracorporeal three-dimensional printing of biocompatible materials. An end effector of a robotic arm includes a sharp member and a reservoir filled with a printing material. The provided method may include piercing a substrate with the sharp member. A bulb or microbolus of material may be extruded beneath the substrate surface to act as an anchor. The end effector may be manipulated to extrude biomaterial along a printing path. Periodically along the printing path, the sharp member is used to pierce the substrate surface create additional respective anchors. In some instances, the method may terminate after extruding material to form a single layer construct. In other instances, the method includes forming one or more layers on top of the initial base layer anchored to the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for freeform extrusion-based additive manufacturing via a robotic arm. In specific aspects, methods are particularly provided for minimally invasive, intracorporeal three-dimensional printing of biocompatible materials. An end effector of a robotic arm includes a sharp member and a reservoir filled with a printing material. The provided method may include piercing a substrate with the sharp member. A bulb or microbolus of material may be extruded beneath the substrate surface to act as an anchor. The end effector may be manipulated to extrude biomaterial along a printing path. Periodically along the printing path, the sharp member is used to pierce the substrate surface create additional respective anchors. In some instances, the method may terminate after extruding material to form a single layer construct. In other instances, the method includes forming one or more layers on top of the initial base layer anchored to the substrate.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes: an antenna including: a metal signal layer having a radiating surface; and a feed port; and a waveguide surrounding the antenna and configured to guide electromagnetic energy transmitted from the radiating surface in a direction away from the antenna; and a controller module connected to the feed port and configured to drive the antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy from the radiating surface; wherein the antenna, waveguide, and controller module are configured such that, when the controller module drives the antenna, the transmitted electromagnetic energy matches a reception characteristic of an implantable device and is sufficient for the implantable device to create one or more electrical pulses of sufficient amplitude to stimulate neural tissue of a patient, solely using electromagnetic energy received from the antenna, when the implantable device is located at least 10 centimeters away from the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes: an antenna including: a metal signal layer having a radiating surface; and a feed port; and a waveguide surrounding the antenna and configured to guide electromagnetic energy transmitted from the radiating surface in a direction away from the antenna; and a controller module connected to the feed port and configured to drive the antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy from the radiating surface; wherein the antenna, waveguide, and controller module are configured such that, when the controller module drives the antenna, the transmitted electromagnetic energy matches a reception characteristic of an implantable device and is sufficient for the implantable device to create one or more electrical pulses of sufficient amplitude to stimulate neural tissue of a patient, solely using electromagnetic energy received from the antenna, when the implantable device is located at least 10 centimeters away from the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes: an antenna including: a metal signal layer having a radiating surface; and a feed port; and a waveguide surrounding the antenna and configured to guide electromagnetic energy transmitted from the radiating surface in a direction away from the antenna; and a controller module connected to the feed port and configured to drive the antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy from the radiating surface; wherein the antenna, waveguide, and controller module are configured such that, when the controller module drives the antenna, the transmitted electromagnetic energy matches a reception characteristic of an implantable device and is sufficient for the implantable device to create one or more electrical pulses of sufficient amplitude to stimulate neural tissue of a patient, solely using electromagnetic energy received from the antenna, when the implantable device is located at least 10 centimeters away from the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes: an antenna including: a metal signal layer having a radiating surface; and a feed port; and a waveguide surrounding the antenna and configured to guide electromagnetic energy transmitted from the radiating surface in a direction away from the antenna; and a controller module connected to the feed port and configured to drive the antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy from the radiating surface; wherein the antenna, waveguide, and controller module are configured such that, when the controller module drives the antenna, the transmitted electromagnetic energy matches a reception characteristic of an implantable device and is sufficient for the implantable device to create one or more electrical pulses of sufficient amplitude to stimulate neural tissue of a patient, solely using electromagnetic energy received from the antenna, when the implantable device is located at least 10 centimeters away from the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes: an antenna including: a metal signal layer having a radiating surface; and a feed port; and a waveguide surrounding the antenna and configured to guide electromagnetic energy transmitted from the radiating surface in a direction away from the antenna; and a controller module connected to the feed port and configured to drive the antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy from the radiating surface; wherein the antenna, waveguide, and controller module are configured such that, when the controller module drives the antenna, the transmitted electromagnetic energy matches a reception characteristic of an implantable device and is sufficient for the implantable device to create one or more electrical pulses of sufficient amplitude to stimulate neural tissue of a patient, solely using electromagnetic energy received from the antenna, when the implantable device is located at least 10 centimeters away from the antenna.