Phase separation sprayed scaffold
AssigneeUniversily of Utah Research Foundation
InventorsJames P. Kennedy, Robert Hitchcock
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for producing scaffolds are disclosed. The system includes a polymer solution and a non-solvent, which are sprayed into receiving portions of support elements. After scaffolds are formed on the support elements, the support elements permit elongation of the scaffolds. Composites formed from a plurality of scaffolds are also disclosed.
Claims41
A method for producing at least one scaffold, comprising:
- securing at least one frame thereon a backing member, wherein an inner portion of each frame of the at least one frame defines a central opening, wherein at least a portion of each frame of the at least one frame is configured to promote adherence of a scaffold;
- simultaneously spraying a polymer solution and a non-solvent therein one or more central openings of the at least one frame such that a scaffold of the at least one scaffold is formed therein and adhered to each frame;
- and
- elongating each scaffold of the at least one scaffold by a desired length such that each scaffold develops at least one desired property.
A system for producing at least one scaffold, comprising:
- a polymer solution;
- a non-solvent;
- a backing member;
- at least one frame secured thereon the backing member, wherein an inner portion of each frame of the at least one frame defines a central opening, wherein at least a portion of each frame of the at least one frame is configured to promote adherence of a scaffold, and wherein the at least one frame is configured to permit elongation of each scaffold of the at least one scaffold by a desired length such that each scaffold develops at least one desired property;
- and
- means for simultaneously spraying the polymer solution and the non-solvent therein one or more central openings of the at least one frame such that a scaffold of the at least one scaffold is formed therein and adhered to each frame.
A method for producing a composite comprising a plurality of scaffolds, the method comprising:
- securing at least one support element thereon a backing member, wherein a receiving portion of each support element of the at least one support element is configured to promote adherence of a scaffold of the plurality of scaffolds;
- simultaneously spraying a polymer solution and a non-solvent therein one or more receiving portions of the at least one support element such that a scaffold of the plurality of scaffolds is formed therein and adhered to each respective support element;
- positioning the plurality of scaffolds in a stacked relationship such that at least one scaffold is superposed relative to another scaffold;
- and
- curing the plurality of scaffolds such that the scaffolds are connected together to form the composite.
A composite having a longitudinal axis, the composite comprising:
- a plurality of scaffolds connected to one another in a stacked relationship such that at least one scaffold is superposed relative to another scaffold, wherein each scaffold of the plurality of scaffolds possesses at least one desired property;
- and
- a plurality of spaced perfusion channels positioned therebetween contiguous scaffolds therein the composite, wherein the plurality of spaced perfusion channels extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the composite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.