Abstract: Due to the size and complexity of tissues such as the spinal cord and articular cartilage, specialized constructs incorporating cells as well as smart materials may be a promising strategy for achieving functional recovery. Aspects of the present invention describe the use of an electroactive, or piezoelectric, material that will act as a scaffold for stem cell induced tissue repair. Embodiments of the inventive material can also act alone as an electroactive scaffold for repairing tissues. The piezoelectric material of the present invention acts as a highly sensitive mechanoelectrical transducer that will generate charges in response to minute vibrational forces.

Abstract: A scaffold for promoting cartilage formation is provided that includes a crosslinked electrospun fiber, wherein the crosslinked electrospun fiber consists essentially of crosslinked gelatin. The crosslinked electrospun fiber is generally crosslinked with a crosslinker, and the crosslinker may be diisosorbide bisepoxide. The crosslinked electrospun fiber may be crosslinked by adding a crosslinker to a solution of gelatin at a desired concentration. The electrospun fiber may advantageously remain intact for 18 days or longer upon being immersed in an aqueous solution. A composition for promoting cartilage formation is also provided that includes the disclosed scaffold and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). The disclosed scaffold may include a crosslinked electrospun fiber that includes gelatin and sodium cellulose sulfate (NaCS), e.g., in an amount of up to 5% by weight of the amount of gelatin.

Abstract: A scaffold for promoting cartilage formation is provided that includes a crosslinked electrospun fiber, wherein the crosslinked electrospun fiber consists essentially of crosslinked gelatin. The crosslinked electrospun fiber is generally crosslinked with a crosslinker, and the crosslinker may be diisosorbide bisepoxide. The crosslinked electrospun fiber may be crosslinked by adding a crosslinker to a solution of gelatin at a desired concentration. The electrospun fiber may advantageously remain intact for 18 days or longer upon being immersed in an aqueous solution. A composition for promoting cartilage formation is also provided that includes the disclosed scaffold and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). The disclosed scaffold may include a crosslinked electrospun fiber that includes gelatin and sodium cellulose sulfate (NaCS), e.g., in an amount of up to 5% by weight of the amount of gelatin.

Abstract: Due to the size and complexity of tissues such as the spinal cord and articular cartilage, specialized constructs incorporating cells as well as smart materials may be a promising strategy for achieving functional recovery. Aspects of the present invention describe the use of an electroactive, or piezoelectric, material that will act as a scaffold for stem cell induced tissue repair. Embodiments of the inventive material can also act alone as an electroactive scaffold for repairing tissues. The piezoelectric material of the present invention acts as a highly sensitive mechanoelectrical transducer that will generate charges in response to minute vibrational forces.

Abstract: Composite fibrous and non-fibrous matrices of biocompatible, bioactive synthetic polymers and ceramics are described. The composite matrices support bone cell differentiation and may be used alone or with whole bone marrow, isolated mesenchymal stem cells and/or bone grafts for bone repair and bone regeneration.

Abstract: This invention relates to articular cartilage mimetics and processes to make them using a composite of and electrospun fiber and a hydrogel.

Abstract: Due to the size and complexity of tissues such as the spinal cord and articular cartilage, specialized constructs incorporating cells as well as smart materials may be a promising strategy for achieving functional recovery. Aspects of the present invention describe the use of an electroactive, or piezoelectric, material that will act as a scaffold for stem cell induced tissue repair. Embodiments of the inventive material can also act alone as an electroactive scaffold for repairing tissues. The piezoelectric material of the present invention acts as a highly sensitive mechanoelectrical transducer that will generate charges in response to minute vibrational forces.