3D printing of sensors for biomedical applications can support rapid fabrication, customisation, accessibility, and the processing of a wide range of functional materials.
Sensors used for monitoring have been implemented in robotics and industrial automation, aeronautics and aerospace, wearable systems used to analyse physiological parameters, and manufacturing environments where changes in operating conditions need to be detected and monitored.
Limitations of conventional silicon-based sensors for biomedical use
Silicon-based sensors have traditionally been used as semiconducting sensors for industrial, environmental, micro- and nano-sensing applications. Their suitability for biomedical applications depends on the complete device architecture, material interfaces, processing route, intended use, and final-device validation.
Biomedical application note
For biomedical and implantable applications, biological safety, functional performance and regulatory suitability must be evaluated on the final processed device under the intended conditions of use. These characteristics should not be inferred from the liquid resin or an isolated material component alone.
3D printed semiconducting sensors: materials and opportunities
For flexible sensors, a wide range of processing materials can be used to fabricate prototypes for different applications. 3D printed resins or polymers containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and gold nanoparticles can be custom designed to print sensing electrode prototypes. Prototypes can also be custom designed with different 3D resin compositions and electrodes to meet specific electrical, mechanical, and thermal requirements.
Fabrication of sensors by 3D printing can support fast customisation and can require fewer processing steps than conventional techniques such as photolithography or screen printing. Depending on material selection, geometry and processing conditions, 3D printed sensor structures can also provide useful mechanical performance. Additional process advantages can include simplicity, speed, automation and reduced material waste.
3Dresyns capabilities for 3D printed biosensors
The 3Dresyns team can custom design 3D resin systems for biosensor development according to the required printing technology, geometry, mechanical behaviour and functional-material integration.
- Tensile strength up to 70 MPa or higher, depending on the selected material system
- Printability on SLA, DLP, LCD, and Inkjet printers
- Engineering, flexible, soft, tough, and elastic material options
- Monomer-free formulation options where specified by the relevant product documentation
- Elongation from low-strain rigid behaviour to values up to 100%, depending on the selected grade
- Durable material options
- Very high resolution
- Very low shrinkage
- Organo-tin-free formulation options
Final performance depends on the selected formulation, printer, exposure conditions, geometry, post-processing and intended application, and must be validated by the user.
Examples of physiological parameters
3D printed biosensor systems can be developed for applications involving physiological parameters such as:
- Brain activity
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Skin temperature
The final sensing principle, device architecture, biological interface and validation requirements depend on the intended application.
Nano and micron materials integration
Our capabilities include incorporation, wettability control, dispersibility, and stabilisation of a broad range of nano- and micron-size materials in powder and/or liquid form and across different polarities, from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, in custom-designed SLA, DLP, LCD and Inkjet 3D resin systems.
Background review:
Contact
Contact us to discuss a biosensor material-development project, printing workflow, or specific performance target at info@3dresyns.com.
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