Apparatus for preparing a biocompatible matrix
AssigneesUniversity of Cincinnati, Shriners Hospitals for Children
InventorSteven T. Boyce
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method of using the apparatus to prepare a biocompatible biodegradable matrix capable of supporting cells to form an implantable or engraftable surgical device. A matrix-forming fluid is contained within a chamber defined by top and bottom surfaces of a thermally conductive material and spacers defining the thickness of the matrix. The chamber is then cooled to freeze the solution at a controlled rate, resulting in a matrix with a desired and uniform thickness having symmetric and uniform reticulations. The apparatus and method reproducibly forms such a matrix, which may be populated with cells for transplantation and engraftment into a wound.
Claims19
A biocompatible matrix, said matrix prepared by
- providing a matrix-forming fluid to an apparatus wherein the fluid is contained between a first thermally conductive surface and a second thermally conductive surface and has substantially uniform thickness,
- cooling the fluid at a controlled rate to simultaneously remove heat from said first and second surfaces to form a frozen matrix by circulating a coolant fluid within a coolant chamber containing the apparatus,
- dehydrating the solid sheet to form the matrix, and
- physically crosslinking the matrix to result in a biocompatible matrix.
A biocompatible matrix including reticulations, the matrix prepared by
- providing a matrix-forming fluid to an apparatus wherein the fluid is contained between a first thermally conductive surface and a second thermally conductive surface and has substantially uniform thickness,
- cooling the fluid at a controlled rate to simultaneously remove heat from the first and second surfaces to form a frozen matrix,
- dehydrating the solid sheet to form the matrix, and
- physically crosslinking the matrix to result in a biocompatible matrix including reticulations.
A biocompatible matrix including symmetric reticulations, the matrix prepared by
- providing a matrix-forming fluid to an apparatus wherein the fluid is contained between a first thermally conductive surface and a second thermally conductive surface and has substantially uniform thickness,
- cooling the fluid at a controlled rate to simultaneously remove heat from the first and second surfaces to form a frozen matrix,
- dehydrating the solid sheet to form the matrix, and
- physically crosslinking the matrix to result in a biocompatible matrix including symmetric reticulations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.