APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A BIOCOMPATIBLE THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT

摘要

An apparatus for making a biocompatible three-dimensional object including at least one delivery unit arranged to deliver at least one biocompatible fluid substance towards a 3D mold having a matrix surface to obtain a coating layer of a predetermined thickness configured for coating the matrix surface. The three-dimensional object may be a heart valve. Furthermore, a handling unit is provided arranged to provide a relative movement according to at least 3 degrees of freedom between the 3D mold and each delivery unit. The 3D mold is arranged to be coated by the delivered biocompatible fluid substance, in order to obtain a three-dimensional object having an object surface copying the matrix surface of the support body.

主权项

1. A method for making a biocompatible three-dimensional heart valve, the method comprising the steps of:
delivering at least one biocompatible fluid substance towards a mold having a mold surface to obtain a coating layer of predetermined thickness configured for coating the mold surface, using at least one delivery unit, the biocompatible fluid substance including a plurality of particles; handling with a handling unit the mold and the delivery unit in order to provide a relative movement with at least three degrees of freedom between the mold and the delivery unit, the mold coated with the at least one biocompatible fluid substance that is delivered to obtain a three-dimensional heart valve having a surface corresponding to the mold surface; removing from the mold any surplus particles of the at least one biocompatible fluid substance dispensed using a suction and blowing device in order to make uniform the predetermined thickness of the coating layer; and pressing a counter mold on the coating layer deposited on the mold after delivering the biocompatible fluid substance.