Team One is delighted to introduce the brand new FELIX BIOPrinter, which is commercially available as of January 2020. This is not your run of the mill 3D printer, the BIOPrinter breaks new ground and the following information will provides you with insights into the market-place for 3D bioprinters in general, the importance of bioprinting, a description of what bioprinting is, how bioprinters in general work, and then the specifics of the FELIX BIOprinting technology. Besides the section entitled Insight into FELIX BIOPrinters Approach, detailed technical specifications, FELIX Bio Printer Bundle contents and a brochure download are provided.
Market Dynamics
The global 3D bioprinting market size was valued at USD 965.0 million in 2018 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 19.5% over the period 2019 – 2026. This growth is attributed to the rising incidence of chronic diseases, such as heart and kidney failures, increasing aging population, and limited number of organ donors. Advancements in technology & IT within the healthcare industry and rising R&D investments are also likely to boost the market growth.
Why is Bioprinting Important?
The greatest importance of bioprinting lies in the resulting tissue-like structures that mimic the actual micro- and macro-environment of human tissues and organs. This is critical in drug testing and clinical trials, with the potential, for example, to drastically reduce the need for animal trials.
When living tissues and organs need not come from humans, 3D bioprinting offers other massive opportunities. One example is testing treatment for diseases using artificially affected tissues. The process will also eradicate the headaches associated with organ donation and transplantation. Apart from the lack of available organs, the entire process is criticized from a moral and ethical perspective. Organ replacement is the main objective, but tissue repair is also possible in the meantime. With bioink, it’s much easier to solve problems on a patient-specific level, promoting simpler operations.
What is Bioprinting?
Bioprinting is a 3D printing / additive manufacturing process where biomaterials such as cells and growth factors are combined to create tissue-like structures that imitate natural tissues. The technology uses a material known as bioink to create these structures in a layer-by-layer manner.
The technique is widely applicable to the fields of medicine and bioengineering. Recently, the technology has even made advancements in the production of cartilage tissue for use in reconstruction and regeneration. In essence, bioprinting works in a similar way to conventional 3D printing. A digital model becomes a physical 3D object layer-by-layer. In this instance, however, a living cell suspension is utilized instead of a thermoplastic or a resin. For this reason, in order to optimize cell viability and achieve a printing resolution adequate for a correct cell-matrix structure, it’s necessary to maintain sterile printing conditions. This ensures accuracy in complex tissues, requisite cell-to-cell distances, and correct output. The process principally involves preparation, printing, maturation, and application.
How does it work?
Several bioprinting methods exist, based on either extrusion, inkjet, acoustic, or laser technologies. Despite the various types, a typical bioprinting process has a more-or-less standard series of steps:
The Felix Approach to Bioprinting
The FELIX BIOprinter can be used for medical, scientific and research applications. The FELIX BIOprinter is flexible and adaptable, and is characterized by:
Why Felix?
The FELIX BIOPrinter frame and functionality is based on the existing and established. FELIX printers product line. We’ve leveraged the current trusted technology to minimize the cost of development, making the FELIX BIOPrinter accessible to a wider user base to deliver exceptional value. The FELIX BIOPrinter is launched with the same reliability and strong 9- year reputation FELIX printers has earned. The user-friendly touch screen provides intuitive navigation of each print job and project.
KEY Features of the FELIX BIOPrinter are:
Technical Specifications:
• Layer Resolution: to 50 microns
• Build Plate: Aluminium sandwich plate with steel flexplate.
• Print head: Dual syringe operation
• Syringe Specs: 5 ml syringe(s)
• Build Speed/s: Recommended build speed is 20 mm/s. Speed depends on material viscosity.
• Typical print accuracy: ± 0.05 mm for sizes below 20 mm
• Syringe Min/Max print temperatures: 0-50 ˚C
• Syringe heat up time / cooling times: 10 seconds
• XYZ resolution: XY, 1.6 microns, Z: 0.15 micron
• Dimensions & Weight: 430 x 390 x 550 mm, 11.5kg
• Build Volume: XYZ = 130 x 210 x 130 mm
• Extrusion width: greater than 0.1mm, depending on nozzle size
What’s in the Felix Bio Printer Bundle?
• FELIX BIOPrinter
• Clear Transparent Cover/Case
• UV Light
• Build Platform
• Needle 25G, 0.26mm, 1/2 inch, Luer Lock, Pink
• Needle 22G, 0.41mm, 1/2 inch, Luer Lock, Blue
• Needle 21g, 0.51mm, 1/2 inch, Luer Lock, Yellow
• Needle 21g, 0.51mm, 1/2 inch, Luer Lock, Purple
• Syringe 5ml Luer Lock
• Petri Dish
• Well Plate 6-well
• UV Protection Glasses
• Starter Kit: Pro/Tec kapton sheets, dust cleaners and print adhesive
Please Note: The Felix Bio Printer is made to order. Upon receipt of your order the Bio Printer will be ship within 10 business days.