Gradient Template for Angiogensis During Large Organ Regeneration
OwnerIoannis V. Yannas, Brendan Harley +2inventors
InventorsIoannis V. Yannas, Brendan Harley, Christpher J. Zagorski, Harry K. Reddy
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Abstract
This invention relates to highly porous scaffolding and methods of producing the same. Specifically, the scaffolding comprises a pore volume fraction of no less than 80% (v/v) of the total volume of the scaffold and interconnecting pores forming channels in the scaffold.
Claims44
A solid, porous biodegradable scaffold for implantation in a subject, comprising at least one polymer, and having a pore volume fraction of at least 80% of the total volume of said scaffold, comprising interconnected pores which form channels in said scaffold, wherein
- a. said channels have a diameter of between 1-200 μm,
- b. a negative gradient exists in said channel diameter along an axis of said scaffold;
- and
- c. branching of said channels along said axis is proportional to said negative gradient
A process for preparing a solid, porous, biodegradable scaffold having branched channels of decreasing diameter, the process comprising the steps of
- a) applying a polymeric suspension to a mold comprised of a conductive material, wherein said mold has conical projections disposed at an angle to an axis, said conical projections having diameter between 1-200 μm;
- b) super-cooling the suspension-filled mold in (a) in a refrigerant, for a period of time until said suspension is solidified, whereby ice crystals are formed in said solidified polymeric suspension;
- and
- c) removing the conical projections from said solidified polimeric suspension, thereby exposing said polimeric suspension to sublimation conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.