Generation of viable cell active biomaterial patterns by laser transfer

Patent Number: 6905738

This patent was included the 3d culture/scaffold section since it doesnt really seem to fit anywhere else. Essentially the patent teachs how to write on cells (including stem cells) using laser light. The patent has 1 independent claim, which is:

A method for laser deposition comprising the steps of;

providing one or more sources of laser energy that produce laser energy;

providing a receiving substrate; wherein the receiving substrate is positioned opposite the source of laser energy;

providing a target substrate; wherein the target substrate is positioned between the receiving substrate and the source of laser energy; wherein a gap exists between the receiving substrate and the target substrate;

wherein the target substrate comprises a laser-transparent support and a composite material; wherein the laser-transparent support has a laser-facing surface facing the source of laser energy; wherein the laser-transparent support has a support surface facing the receiving substrate; wherein the composite material has a back surface in contact with the support surface; wherein the composite material has a front surface facing the receiving substrate; wherein the composite material comprises a mixture of a matrix material and a transfer material; and wherein the matrix material has the property of being desorbed from the laser-transparent support when exposed to the laser energy; positioning the source of laser energy in a spaced relation to the target substrate so that the laser energy will strike the composite material at a defined target location; positioning the receiving substrate in a spaced relation to the target substrate; and exposing the target substrate to the laser energy; wherein the laser energy is directed through the laser-facing surface and through the laser-transparent support to strike the composite material at the support surface-back surface interface at the defined target location; wherein the laser energy has sufficient energy to cause the desorption of the composite material from the support surface; and wherein the desorbed composite material is deposited at a defined receiving location on the receiving substrate to form a deposited composite material.

View this patent on the USPTO website.