Photoreceptor scaffold for in vitro modeling and transplantation therapy
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsZhenqiang Ma, Yei Hwan Jung, Michael Phillips, David Gamm, Shaoqin Gong
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Abstract
Photoreceptor scaffolds and scaffold systems including the photoreceptor scaffolds are described herein. The scaffolds and scaffold systems can be used for transplantation of organized photoreceptor tissue, with or without RPE, which may improve grafted cell survival, integration, and functional visual rescue. Particularly, the photoreceptor scaffold is structured from a biocompatible film, patterned with an array of unique through-holes having a curvilinear cell receiver and at least one cell guide channel.
Claims13
A scaffold comprising a single cell support layer comprising at least one curvilinear cell receiver in physical contact with at least one cell guide channel, the at least one curvilinear cell receiver in physical contact with at least one cell guide channel extends through the cell support layer, the cell receiver comprising a diameter that is larger than the diameter of an opening in the cell guide channel, wherein the cell support layer comprises one or more of a biocompatible flexible polymer and a biodegradable flexible polymer, wherein the at least one curvilinear cell receiver has a diameter ranging from about 8 μm to about 15 μm, and wherein the at least one cell guide channel has a diameter of about 5 μm.
A scaffold system comprising a first scaffold comprising a first cell support layer comprising at least one curvilinear cell receiver in physical contact with at least one cell guide channel, the at least one curvilinear cell receiver in physical contact with at least one cell guide channel extends through the first cell support layer, the cell receiver comprising a diameter that is larger than the diameter of an opening in the cell guide channel, and a second scaffold comprising a second cell support layer comprising at least one throughhole that extends through the second cell support layer, wherein at least one of the first cell support layer and the second cell support layer comprises one or more of a biocompatible flexible polymer and a biodegradable flexible polymer, wherein the at least one curvilinear cell receiver has a diameter ranging from about 10 μm to about 15 μm, wherein the at least one cell guide channel has a diameter of about 5 μm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.