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US 10,479,980 B2Granted
Artificial ovary
AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorsMonica M. Laronda, Alexandra L. Rutz, Ramille N. Shah, Teresa K. Woodruff
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Abstract
Artificial ovaries comprising porous three-dimensional scaffolds are provided. Also provided are ink compositions and methods for printing the scaffolds. The artificial ovaries have spatial arrangements and cellular compositions that allow them to mimic native ovarian tissue. As such, they can be cultured or transplanted to support female endocrine function and/or the development of oocytes and/or eggs.
Claims35
An artificial ovary comprising:
- a porous three-dimensional scaffold comprising a plurality of overlapping struts, the struts comprising a biocompatible polymer and defining a network of pores;
- and
- a plurality of ovarian follicles disposed inside the pores;
- wherein the artificial ovary is capable of supporting at least one of:
- an ovarian endocrine function;
- or ovulation of one or more mature oocytes from one or more of the ovarian follicles, when the artificial ovary is cultured in vitro or implanted in a mammalian subject in vivo,
- provided that if the biocompatible polymer comprises ovarian extracellular matrix, then that ovarian extracellular matrix comprises processed decellularized ovarian extracellular matrix.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.