# US 10,500,053 B2 · Modular tissue scaffolds > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,053 B2 - Document ID: US10500053B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/935,404 - Filed: 2018-03-26 - Published: 2019-01-03 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-28 - Assignees: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. - Applicants: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. - Inventors: Scott J. Hollister; Stephen E. Feinberg; William L. Murphy; Leenaporn Jongpaiboonkit; James R. Adox; Francesco Migneco - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500053B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/28: Bones - A61F 2/2803: {for mandibular reconstruction (temporo-mandibular joints A61F2/3099; bone plates for the jaw A61B17/8071)} - A61F 2/2875: {Skull or cranium (A61F2/2803 takes precedence; joints for temporo-mandibular [TM] joints [TMJ] A61F2/3099)} - A61F 2002/30062: {(bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive} - A61F 2002/30331: {made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit} - A61F 2002/30387: {Dovetail connection} - A61F 2002/30451: {soldered or brazed or welded} - A61F 2002/305: {Snap connection} - A61F 2002/30604: {modular} - A61F 2002/30677: {Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body} - A61F 2002/30948: {using computerized tomography, i.e. CT scans} - A61F 2002/30952: {using CAD-CAM techniques or NC-techniques} - A61F 2002/30962: {using stereolithography} - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract Provided are biocompatible and implantable scaffolds for treating a tissue defect, such as a bone gap. The scaffolds can have a modular design comprising a tissue scaffold rack designed to accommodate one or more modules. Also provided are methods for fabrication and use of such scaffolds. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A biocompatible scaffold system for filling a tissue gap comprising: a tissue scaffold comprising a plurality of porous and biodegradable modules, wherein each of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules is comprised of a biodegradable polymer material and defines an irregular disk shape having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein each of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules is configured to connect to another of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules; and, a biodegradable tissue scaffold rack comprising a biodegradable polymer material, wherein the tissue scaffold rack defines a proximal end and a distal end and is configured to span a tissue gap in a mammal between the proximal end and the distal end, the tissue scaffold rack defining a trough shaped portion having at least two side regions and a bottom region; wherein at least one module connector is disposed at the bottom region of the tissue scaffold rack; and, wherein each of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules is configured to fit into and connect with the biodegradable tissue scaffold rack by contacting the bottom region and substantially spanning the two side regions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The scaffold system of claim 1, further comprising a fixation device configured to couple the tissue scaffold to tissue adjacent to the tissue gap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The scaffold system of claim 2, wherein the fixation device includes one or more of a screw, a pin, or a rod. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The scaffold system of claim 3, wherein the fixation device comprises metal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The scaffold system of claim 2, wherein the fixation device comprises a degradable material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The scaffold system of claim 1, wherein a first module of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules is configured to connect to a second module of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules through melt fusion of the second side of the first module to the first side of the second module. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The scaffold system of claim 1, wherein the at least one module connector is configured to connect with the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The scaffold system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules comprises a rack connector configured to connect with the at least one module connector of the tissue scaffold rack. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The scaffold system of claim 8, wherein the rack connector is configured to mechanically couple to the module connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The scaffold system of claim 9, wherein the module connector is a recess and the rack connector is a protuberance that is configured to fit into the recess. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The scaffold system of claim 9, wherein the rack connector is a recess and the module connector is a protuberance that is configured to fit into the recess. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The scaffold system of claim 9, wherein the module connector and the rack connector are configured as a snap fit, mortise and tenon, or dovetail connection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The scaffold system of claim 1, wherein a first module of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules includes a connector on the first or second side of the module, and a second module of the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules includes a complementary connector on the first or second side of the module, wherein the complementary connector is configured to couple with the connector of the first module. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The scaffold system of claim 13, wherein the first module connector and the second module complementary connector are configured to mechanically connect. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The scaffold system of claim 13, wherein the first module connector and the second module complementary connector are configured to melt fuse. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The scaffold system of claim 1, wherein the irregular disk shape corresponds to an outline of a portion of the tissue gap. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The scaffold system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules further comprise a crystalline or mineral component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The scaffold system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of porous and biodegradable modules comprise a composite mixture of the biodegradable polymer material and the crystalline or mineral component. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The scaffold system of claim 17, wherein the biodegradable polymer material comprises polycaprolactone. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The scaffold system of claim 17, wherein the degradable polymer material comprises polycaprolactone and the crystalline or mineral component includes calcium and phosphate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The scaffold system of claim 1, further comprising a bioactive agent. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The scaffold system of claim 21, wherein the bioactive agent includes an antibiotic. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The scaffold system of claim 21, wherein the bioactive agent includes bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), demineralized bone matrix, bone marrow aspirate, transforming growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, growth and development factor-5, or platelet rich plasma, or a mixture thereof. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The biocompatible system of claim 1, further comprising an isolated vertebrate cell.