Abstract: A metamaterial laminate having at least the following elements (a) at least one polymer nanofiber mesh having polymer nanofibers embedded with conductive nanoparticles, and (b) at least two films, wherein the polymer nanofiber mesh is sandwiched between the two films. Included are methods of making the laminate. A method to produce cross-direction and multilayers of multi-material nanofibrous polymer using an electrospun technique is presented. The laminate can be used in a method where it is incorporated in a structure and provides stress information by scanning with an electromagnetic radiation to determine physical change within the structure. The nanofiber polymer provides electric conductivity information detected by electrochemical analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention enables modification of an intraosseous implant device that is not only biologically non-inert, but can stimulate bone and vascular growth; decrease localized inflammation; and fight local infections. The method of the present invention provides a fiber with any of the following modifications: (1) Nanofiber with PDGF, (2) Nanofiber with PDGF+BMP2, and (3) Nanofiber with BMP2 and Ag. Nanofiber can be modified with other growth factors that have been shown to improve bone growth and maturation—BMP and PDGF being the most common. Nanofiber can be applied on the surface of the implant in several ways. First, a spiral micro-notching can be applied on the implant in the same direction as the threads with the nanofibers embedded into the notches. Second, the entire surface of the implant may be coated with a mesh of nanofibers. Third, it can be a combination of both embedding and notching.

Abstract: The present invention enables modification of an intraosseous implant device that is not only biologically non-inert, but can stimulate bone and vascular growth; decrease localized inflammation; and fight local infections. The method of the present invention provides a fiber with any of the following modifications: (1) Nanofiber with PDGF, (2) Nanofiber with PDGF+BMP2, and (3) Nanofiber with BMP2 and Ag. Nanofiber can be modified with other growth factors that have been shown to improve bone growth and maturation—BMP and PDGF being the most common. Nanofiber can be applied on the surface of the implant in several ways. First, a spiral micro-notching can be applied on the implant in the same direction as the threads with the nanofibers embedded into the notches. Second, the entire surface of the implant may be coated with a mesh of nanofibers. Third, it can be a combination of both embedding and notching.

Abstract: The present invention enables modification of an intraosseous implant device that is not only biologically non-inert, but can stimulate bone and vascular growth; decrease localized inflammation; and fight local infections. The method of the present invention provides a fiber with any of the following modifications: (1) Nanofiber with PDGF, (2) Nanofiber with PDGF+BMP2, and (3) Nanofiber with BMP2 and Ag. Nanofiber can be modified with other growth factors that have been shown to improve bone growth and maturation—BMP and PDGF being the most common. Nanofiber can be applied on the surface of the implant in several ways. First, a spiral micro-notching can be applied on the implant in the same direction as the threads with the nanofibers embedded into the notches. Second, the entire surface of the implant may be coated with a mesh of nanofibers. Third, it can be a combination of both embedding and notching.

Abstract: A process providing a method to create 3D scaffolds using nano-scale fibers, comprising: deposition and alignment of a plurality of electrospun fiber layers on a substrate; application of a photosensitive biomedical polymer liquid to each fiber layer deposited on said substrate; deposition and cross-alignment of a plurality of electrospun fiber layers on said substrate; retaining said polymer liquid in place using said cross-aligned fiber layers; curing said polymer liquid on top of each fiber layer using UV light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to functionalize nanofiber membrane (NFM) on a total joint replacement (TJR) implant surface to support bone ingrowth and reduce macrophage-associated inflammation, the process comprising amending the implant surface by laser cutting microgrooves greater than 100 ?m in depth to protect functional PCL NFM from applied loading, induce a higher amount of osteoblast cell function, increase implant-bone contact area, and serve as a reservoir for the local delivery of biomolecules to increase osseointegration of the implant; depositing aligned fibers on the implant surface, the fibers aligned in the direction of the microgrooves and collected in layers until a thickness less than 30 ?m is reached and preferably in the range of 1 ?m to 10 ?m. Biofunctionalized NFM are used to indirectly attach biomolecules on said implant surface, or extracellular matrix proteins with biomolecules are immobilized and deposited on the PCL NFM coated implant.

Abstract: The present invention enables modification of an intraosseous implant device that is not only biologically non-inert, but can stimulate bone and vascular growth; decrease localized inflammation; and fight local infections. The method of the present invention provides a fiber with any of the following modifications: (1) Nanofiber with PDGF, (2) Nanofiber with PDGF+BMP2, and (3) Nanofiber with BMP2 and Ag. Nanofiber can be modified with other growth factors that have been shown to improve bone growth and maturation—BMP and PDGF being the most common. Nanofiber can be applied on the surface of the implant in several ways. First, a spiral micro-notching can be applied on the implant in the same direction as the threads with the nanofibers embedded into the notches. Second, the entire surface of the implant may be coated with a mesh of nanofibers. Third, it can be a combination of both embedding and notching.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting cross-aligned fiber threads, comprising an elongated assembly having a plurality of segments including at least a first segment, a second segment, and an intermediate segment, the first segment positioned at one end of the intermediate segment and the second segment positioned at an opposite end of the intermediate segment, each segment being electrically chargeable; an electrically chargeable emitter for electrospinning nanoscale fiber streams comprising charged fiber branches, the emitter having a tip positioned offset and between an edge of the first segment and an edge of the second segment; a support structure for rotating the elongated assembly about a longitudinal axis and applying an electrical charge to at least the edges of the first and second segment; at least one electrically chargeable steering electrode for attracting fiber streams, the at least one steering electrode chargeable with an electrical polarity opposing a charge applied to the emitter.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting cross-aligned fiber threads, comprising an elongated assembly having a plurality of segments including at least a first segment, a second segment, and an intermediate segment, the first segment positioned at one end of the intermediate segment and the second segment positioned at an opposite end of the intermediate segment, each segment being electrically chargeable; an electrically chargeable emitter for electrospinning nanoscale fiber streams comprising charged fiber branches, the emitter having a tip positioned offset and between an edge of the first segment and an edge of the second segment; a support structure for rotating the elongated assembly about a longitudinal axis and applying an electrical charge to at least the edges of the first and second segment; at least one electrically chargeable steering electrode for attracting fiber streams, the at least one steering electrode chargeable with an electrical polarity opposing a charge applied to the emitter.

Abstract: A method for separating out a continuous single thread of fiber from many fiber branches and controlling alignment and deposition of said fiber on a substrate, comprising: electrospinning synthetic polymer fiber streams from an electrically charged syringe needle; controlling the fiber using at least one electrically charged metallic disk rotating about an axis positioned below the needle; capturing the fiber using electrically grounded collector; extracting a single fiber branch thread from the polymer fiber streams, wherein the single fiber branch thread is attracted to and intercepted by the collector shape, and depositing the single fiber branch thread as substantially aligned fiber on the collector.

Abstract: The present invention enables modification of an intraosseous implant device that is not only biologically non-inert, but can stimulate bone and vascular growth; decrease localized inflammation; and fight local infections. The method of the present invention provides a fiber with any of the following modifications: (1) Nanofiber with PDGF, (2) Nanofiber with PDGF+BMP2, and (3) Nanofiber with BMP2 and Ag. Nanofiber can be modified with other growth factors that have been shown to improve bone growth and maturation—BMP and PDGF being the most common. Nanofiber can be applied on the surface of the implant in several ways. First, a spiral micro-notching can be applied on the implant in the same direction as the threads with the nanofibers embedded into the notches. Second, the entire surface of the implant may be coated with a mesh of nanofibers. Third, it can be a combination of both embedding and notching.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to functionalize nanofiber membrane (NFM) on a total joint replacement (TJR) implant surface to support bone ingrowth and reduce macrophage-associated inflammation, the process comprising amending the implant surface by laser cutting microgrooves greater than 100 ?m in depth to protect functional PCL NFM from applied loading, induce a higher amount of osteoblast cell function, increase implant-bone contact area, and serve as a reservoir for the local delivery of biomolecules to increase osseointegration of the implant; depositing aligned fibers on the implant surface, the fibers aligned in the direction of the microgrooves and collected in layers until a thickness less than 30 ?m is reached and preferably in the range of 1 ?m to 10 ?m. Biofunctionalized NFM are used to indirectly attach biomolecules on said implant surface, or extracellular matrix proteins with biomolecules are immobilized and deposited on the PCL NFM coated implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for combined applications of making grooves on an implant surface, applying MgO nanoparticles with PMMA cement, restricting the cement movement by PCL nanofiber and tethering biomolecules with PCL nanofiber to enhance mechanical stability and osseointegration of PMMA cement with bone. This is achieved through enhanced osteoconductive properties, roughness, and less viable fracture originating sites at the bone-cement interface. Such combined applications of nanoparticle and nanofiber on the mechanical stability and osseointegration of cemented implant is heretofore unknown, but as provided by the present invention can solve the debonding problem of cemented implant from bone.

Abstract: The present invention implements a set of grooves/ridges created on Ti at the circumferential direction to increase surface area of implant in contact with bone. These grooves/ridges protect nanofiber matrix (NFM) made with Polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofiber (ENF) and collagen at the groove from physiological loading. Controlled fabrication of a ridge made with titanium nitride (TiN) around the circumference of Ti is provided using a plasma nitride deposition technique. PCL ENF may be deposited along the sub-micrometer grooves using the electrospin setup disclosed. The method provides for fabrication of microgroove on Ti using machining or TiN deposition and filling the microgrooves with the NFM. This method has proven through experimentation to be successful in increasing in vivo mechanical stability and promoting osseointegration on Ti implants. The immobilization of MgO NP and FN with the PCL-CG NFM on microgrooved Ti as provided in the invention optimizes biological performances of Ti.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process by which both non-tissue engineered and tissue engineered cartilaginous-like structures can be fabricated. The process of the present invention provides a method to produce electrospun nanofiber-anchored NP gels. The present invention provides a functional design for novel engineered IVD. The present invention provides a method for fabrication of both non-tissue and tissue engineered IVDs. These cartilaginous-like structures can be used to produce replacements for degenerated natural IVD. The method of the present invention uses electrospun PCL nanofiber mesh to anchor the NP. The method of the present invention can create angle-ply AF structure around the circumference of NP to mimic the architecture of native IVD. The method of the present invention anchors the top and bottom sides of NP by using non-woven aligned or random nanofiber mesh to create scaffold for the generation of endplate (EP) tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for combined applications of making grooves on an implant surface, applying MgO nanoparticles with PMMA cement, restricting the cement movement by PCL nanofiber and tethering biomolecules with PCL nanofiber to enhance mechanical stability and osseointegration of PMMA cement with bone. This is achieved through enhanced osteoconductive properties, roughness, and less viable fracture originating sites at the bone-cement interface. Such combined applications of nanoparticle and nanofiber on the mechanical stability and osseointegration of cemented implant is heretofore unknown, but as provided by the present invention can solve the debonding problem of cemented implant from bone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process by which both non-tissue engineered and tissue engineered cartilaginous-like structures can be fabricated. The process of the present invention provides a method to produce electrospun nanofiber-anchored NP gels. The present invention provides a functional design for novel engineered IVD. The present invention provides a method for fabrication of both non-tissue and tissue engineered IVDs. These cartilaginous-like structures can be used to produce replacements for degenerated natural IVD. The method of the present invention uses electrospun PCL nanofiber mesh to anchor the NP. The method of the present invention can create angle-ply AF structure around the circumference of NP to mimic the architecture of native IVD. The method of the present invention anchors the top and bottom sides of NP by using non-woven aligned or random nanofiber mesh to create scaffold for the generation of endplate (EP) tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for combined applications of making grooves on an implant surface, applying MgO nanoparticles with PMMA cement, restricting the cement movement by PCL nanofiber and tethering biomolecules with PCL nanofiber to enhance mechanical stability and osseointegration of PMMA cement with bone. This is achieved through enhanced osteoconductive properties, roughness, and less viable fracture originating sites at the bone-cement interface. Such combined applications of nanoparticle and nanofiber on the mechanical stability and osseointegration of cemented implant is heretofore unknown, but as provided by the present invention can solve the debonding problem of cemented implant from bone.

Abstract: The present invention implements a set of grooves/ridges created on Ti at the circumferential direction to increase surface area of implant in contact with bone. These grooves/ridges protect nanofiber matrix (NFM) made with Polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofiber (ENF) and collagen at the groove from physiological loading. Controlled fabrication of a ridge made with titanium nitride (TiN) around the circumference of Ti is provided using a plasma nitride deposition technique. PCL ENF may be deposited along the sub-micrometer grooves using the electrospin setup disclosed. The method provides for fabrication of microgroove on Ti using machining or TiN deposition and filling the microgrooves with the NFM. This method has proven through experimentation to be successful in increasing in vivo mechanical stability and promoting osseointegration on Ti implants. The immobilization of MgO NP and FN with the PCL-CG NFM on microgrooved Ti as provided in the invention optimizes biological performances of Ti.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for combined applications of making grooves on an implant surface, applying MgO nanoparticles with PMMA cement, restricting the cement movement by PCL nanofiber and tethering biomolecules with PCL nanofiber to enhance mechanical stability and osseointegration of PMMA cement with bone. This is achieved through enhanced osteoconductive properties, roughness, and less viable fracture originating sites at the bone-cement interface. Such combined applications of nanoparticle and nanofiber on the mechanical stability and osseointegration of cemented implant is heretofore unknown, but as provided by the present invention can solve the debonding problem of cemented implant from bone.