Abstract: A polymer scaffold is provided comprising an extensively interconnected macroporous network. The polymer scaffold embodies macropores having a diameter in a range of 0.5-3.5 mm, and preferably in a range of about 1.0-2.0 mm. The polymer scaffold is prepared using a novel process which advantageously combines the techniques of particulate leaching and phase inversion to render a process that provides amplified means by which to control the morphology of the resulting polymer scaffold. The polymer scaffold has utility in the area of tissue engineering, particularly as a scaffold for both in vitro and in vivo cell growth.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 2002
Date of Patent:
April 5, 2005
Assignee:
Bonetec Corporation
Inventors:
Chantal E. Holy, Molly S. Shoichet, John E. Davies
Abstract: A polymer scaffold is provided having an extensively interconnected macroporous network with macropores having microporous struts as walls. Macropore diameter ranges from about 0.5 to about 3.5 mm. The polymer may be a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) containing 75% polylactide and 25% polyglycolide. The polymer scaffold is prepared by mixing a liquid polymer with particles, precipitating the liquid polymer with a non-solvent for the liquid polymer and dissolving the particles with a solvent to form the macroporous polymer scaffold which preferably has porosity greater than 50%. The surface of the polymer scaffold may be modified by acid or base treatment, or by collagen or calcium phosphate deposition. The polymer scaffold has utility for tissue engineering, particularly as a scaffold for in vitro and in vivo cell growth.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 26, 2000
Date of Patent:
October 29, 2002
Assignee:
Bonetec Corporation
Inventors:
Chantal E. Holy, Molly S. Shoichet, John E. Davies
Abstract: A polymer scaffold is provided having an extensively interconnected macroporous network with macropores having microporous struts as walls. Macropore diameter ranges from about 0.5 to about 3.5 mm. The polymer may be a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) containing 75% polylactide and 25% polyglycolide. The polymer scaffold is prepared by mixing a liquid polymer with particles, precipitating the liquid polymer with a non-solvent for the liquid polymer and dissolving the particles with a solvent to form the macroporous polymer scaffold which preferably has porosity greater than 50%. The surface of the polymer scaffold may be modified by acid or base treatment, or by collagen or calcium phosphate deposition. The polymer scaffold has utility for tissue engineering, particularly as a scaffold for in vitro and in vivo cell growth.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 13, 1998
Date of Patent:
April 30, 2002
Assignee:
Bonetec Corporation
Inventors:
Chantal E. Holy, Molly S. Shoichet, John E. Davies