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US 6,146,892 AGranted
Fibrillar matrices
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsPeter X. Ma, Ruiyun Zhang
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Abstract
Methods and compositions are described that provide three-dimensional fibrillar matrices useful as, among other things, structural prosthetics and scaffolds for cells. The porous fibrillar matrices of the present invention have desirable mechanical properties suitable to a variety of applications, including platforms for in vitro cell cultivation, implants for tissue and organ engineering, implants as tendon and facia prosthetics, and product packaging.
Claims63
A method, comprising:
- a) providing:
- i) a polymer preparation,
- ii) a solvent;
- b) mixing said polymer with said solvent to create a polymer/solvent solution;
- c) gelling said polymer/solvent solution;
- and
- d) treating said gelled polymer solution under conditions whereby a substantially solvent free fibrillar matrix is created having a porosity greater than approximately 80% wherein said fibrillar matrix comprises fibers having a diameter in the range of approximately 50 nm and 500 nm.
4 more elements
A method, comprising:
- a) providing:
- i) a polymer preparation,
- ii) a solvent
- b) mixing said polymer with said solvent to create a polymer solution;
- c) gelling said polymer/solvent solution under conditions whereby a three-dimensional fibrillar matrix is created;
- and
- d) hydrating said gelled polymer/solvent solution maintained under conditions whereby a three-dimensional fibrillar network is preserved such that said gelled polymer/solvent solution maintained under conditions whereby said preserved fibrillar three-dimensional matrix is preserved is solvent free;
- e) treating said hydrated solvent free gelled polymer three-dimensional fibrillar matrix under conditions whereby a solvent free fibrillar matrix is created having a porosity greater than approximately 80%.
5 more elements
A method, comprising:
- a) providing:
- i) a polymer preparation,
- ii) a solvent
- b) mixing said polymer with said solvent to create a polymer solution;
- c) casting said polymer/solvent solution into a desired form;
- d) gelling said cast polymer/solvent solution under conditions whereby a three-dimensional fibrillar matrix is created;
- e) hydrating said cast gelled polymer/solvent solution maintained under conditions whereby a three-dimensional fibrillar matrix is preserved such that said cast gelled polymer/solvent solution maintained under conditions whereby said preserved fibrillar three-dimensional matrix is solvent free;
- and
- f) freezing said cast hydrated solvent-free three-dimensional matrix;
- g) freeze-drying said cast hydrated solvent-free three-dimensional matrix such that a substantially desiccated fibrillar matrix is created having a porosity of greater than approximately 80%.
7 more elements
A method, comprising:
- a) providing:
- i) a polymer preparation,
- ii) a solvent
- b) mixing said polymer with said solvent to create a polymer solution;
- c) gelling said polymer/solvent solution at a temperature range between -195.8.degree. C. to 23.0.degree. C. such that a three-dimensional fibrillar matrix is created;
- and
- d) hydrating said gelled polymer/solvent solution under conditions whereby said three-dimensional fibrillar matrix is preserved.
4 more elements
A method, comprising:
- a) providing:
- i) a polymer preparation,
- ii) a solvent
- b) mixing said polymer with said solvent to create a polymer solution;
- c) casting said polymer/solvent solution into a desired form;
- d) gelling said cast polymer/solvent solution at a temperature range between -195.8.degree. C. to 23.0.degree. C. such that a three-dimensional fibrillar matrix is created;
- and
- e) hydrating said cast gelled polymer/solvent solution maintained under conditions whereby a three-dimensional fibrillar matrix is preserved.
5 more elements
A method, comprising:
- a) providing:
- i) a polymer preparation,
- ii) a solvent;
- b) mixing said polymer with said solvent to create a polymer/solvent solution;
- c) gelling said polymer/solvent solution;
- and
- d) treating said gelled polymer solution under conditions such that a substantially solvent free fibrillar matrix having a porosity greater than approximately 80% is created wherein said fibrillar matrix is comprised of fibers, said fibers having a unit length in the range of approximately 1000 nm and 2200 nm.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.