Open source 3D printer for personalized nutrition in healthcare

Technology
In development
University

Innovative open source 3D printers designed for personalized nutrition, enabling custom nutrient profiles in meals for healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes. These printers offer scalable solutions for precise dietary needs, enhancing patient care.

Overview

The open source 3D printer technology we're offering is designed to revolutionize personalized medicine by integrating custom nutritional profiles into meals. These printers are capable of producing food that is tailored to individual dietary requirements, considering factors such as weight, activity level, and specific nutrient needs. This solution can be particularly beneficial in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes, where personalized nutrition can significantly enhance patient care and recovery.

Technical specifications
  • Multimaterial capability: Supports up to four different materials, allowing for complex nutrient and flavor combinations.
  • Customization: Offers the ability to customize the shape, color, and nutritional content of meals, including macros like proteins and specific supplements.
  • Scalability: Features peristaltic pumps for efficient use of base food materials across multiple printers, facilitating mass deployment.
  • Advanced cooking integration: Utilizes electric heating and IR radiation to incorporate cooking into the printing process, ensuring food safety and quality.
Technology readiness level

Currently at TRL 4, this technology has been validated in a lab setting with a working prototype. The next steps involve adapting the prototype to specific customer needs, conducting printing trials, and leveraging AI to refine printing parameters. Development to field-ready systems could be achieved within six months, depending on complexity and collaboration scope.


About Western University

Western University is a comprehensive public research university in London, Ontario, with a full spectrum of professional and research programs and a strong culture of partnership with industry. Companies engage through co-located labs and shared core facilities, a research and technology park with industry tenancy, and advanced prototyping testbeds that enable scale-up. Integration with major hospital systems and affiliated research institutes supports clinical translation and trials, while co-op and internship pathways provide reliable talent pipelines. Research is backed by competitive funding from NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and a dedicated technology transfer office offers IP strategy, licensing, and startup support.

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