Carbon nanotube composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
AssigneeUniversity of Connecticut
InventorsCato T. Laurencin, Syam Prasad Nukavarapu, Sangamesh G. Kumbar
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Abstract
The present invention provides biocompatible composite materials that can be fabricated into a scaffold having properties suitable for bone repair and regeneration. These scaffolds have sufficient mechanical strength to be useful for the repair and regeneration of cortical bone.
Claims23
A biocompatible composite scaffold material comprising a biodegradable polymer and about 5% or less (wt/wt) water-dispersible multi-wall carbon nanotubes, wherein the biocompatible composite scaffold material has a compressive modulus value of at least about 200 MPa and a compressive strength of at least about 5 MPa with the proviso that the composite scaffold material does not comprise calcium phosphate.
A method of producing a biocompatible composite scaffold material comprising:
- a) dispersing at least about 3% (wt/wt) water-dispersible multi-wall carbon nanotubes with biocompatible polymer microspheres in a solvent to produce a composite;
- b) casting the composite in a mold;
- and
- c) sintering the cast composite,
- thereby producing a biocompatible composite scaffold material.
A biocompatible composite material comprising about 3% or less (wt/wt) functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes and a biodegradable polymer comprising poly (lactic acid-glycolic acid) (PLGA), with the proviso that the composite material does not comprise calcium phosphate.
A method of effecting bone repair comprising contacting the area affected by a bone defect with a biocompatible composite scaffold material comprising 5% or less (wt/wt) functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes and a biodegradable polymer, wherein the biocompatible composite material has a compressive modulus value of at least about 250 MPa and a compressive strength of at least about 7.5 MPa, with the proviso that the composite material does not comprise calcium phosphate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.