Efficient stem cell delivery into biomaterials using capillary driven encapsulation

A method of seeding stem, progenitor and/or tissue specific cells within a dressing, comprising:

• providing a hydrophobic substance positioned within a tray;
• providing an aqueous solution containing a cell population comprised of stem, progenitor and/or tissue specific cells which are maintained or suspended within and retained upon the hydrophobic substance positioned within the tray;
• placing a porous hydrogel comprised of a lyophilized collagen in pullulan hydrogel and having a mosaic distribution of a solid film or membrane matrix into contact with the aqueous solution such that at least a portion of the cell population is drawn via a capillary force into micropores of the porous hydrogel and each solid film or membrane matrix deforms around the aqueous solution and the portion of the cell population via the capillary force, wherein the porous hydrogel is sized for placement within or upon a wound;
• and
• maintaining contact of the porous hydrogel with the aqueous solution such that the aqueous solution and the portion of the cell population are enclosed within the deformed solid film or membrane matrix via dynamic liquid surface tension such that the aqueous solution and the portion of the cell population are retained within the porous hydrogel.