Biodegradable and bioabsorbable biomaterials and keratin fibrous articles for medical applications

• US 20100009448A1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Original Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Inventors: Li, Yi, Hu, Junyan, Li, Lin, Li, Jiashen
• Granted Patent: US 8,242,073 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/396
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/006 Bio-degradable, e.g. bioabsorbable, bioresorbable or bioerodible
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/40 Polyhydroxyacids, e.g. polymers of glycolic or lactic acid (PGA, PLA, PLGA); Bioresorbable polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/50 Proteins
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0068 General culture methods using substrates for specific animal cell type C12N5/06
• CPC Class Codes: D01D 5/0038 the fibre formed by solvent evaporation, i.e. dry electro-spinning
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 4/00 Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of proteins; Manufacture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 6/625 derived from hydroxy-carboxylic acids, e.g. lactones
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 1/4266 Natural fibres not provided for in group D04H1/425
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 1/435 Polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 1/43838 Ultrafine fibres, e.g. microfibres
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 3/02 characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of yarns or filaments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process of making biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable biomaterials and keratin nonwoven fibrous articles by electrospinning fibers from a blend of biomaterials and keratin dissolved in organic solvents includes generating a high voltage electric field between oppositely charged biomaterials and keratin fluid in a syringe with a capillary tip and a metallic collection roller and causing a jet to flow to the roller as solvent evaporates and collecting fibrous membranes or scaffolds on the roller. Keratin increased the cell affinity of biomaterial scaffolds which have potential medical applications.

Claims

1. A method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven fibrous article comprising the steps:

dissolving a macromolecule material for electrospinning in a solvent to result in a solution;

delivering said solution to an electrode;

applying a voltage to said electrode;

moving a collecting plate until a membrane is obtained; and

sputtering said membrane with a metal.

2. The method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven fibrous article of claim 1, wherein said macromolecule is selected from the group consisting of glycolide, lactide, dioxanone, caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, ethylene glycol, lysine, a homopolymer, random co-polymer, block co-polymer, and hetero-polymer.

3. The method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven fibrous article of claim 2, wherein said macromolecule further comprises a polyester such as poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), or copolymer poly(glycolic-co-lactic acid).

4. The method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven fibrous article of claim 1, wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, N—

N-dimethyl acetamide, N,N-dimethyl formamide, chloroform, methylene chloride, dioxane, ethanol, and a mixture of the previous solvents.

5. The method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven article of claim 1, wherein said solution has a concentration of from about 0.1 to about 50 wt %.

6. The method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven article of claim 5, wherein said solution has a concentration of from 1 to about 10 wt %.

7. The method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven article of claim 1, wherein said voltage is from about 5 to about 100 kV.

8. The method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven article of claim 7, wherein said voltage is from about 10 to about 50 kV.

9. The method of making a biomaterial and keratin nonwoven article of claim 1, wherein delivering said solution to an electrode comprises pumping the solution at a flow rate of between about 0.1 to about 500 mL/min.

10. A fibrous article comprising,

a keratin selected from the group consisting of hair, wool, feathers nail, horn, other epithelial coverings, and mixtures thereof;

and

a biomaterial made from a polymer selected from the group consisting of glycolide, lactide, dioxanone, caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, ethylene glycol, lysine, and polymer mixtures thereof, and a polyester selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid).

11. The fibrous article of claim 10, wherein said keratin is fibrous or powdered.

12. The fibrous article of claim 10, further having a thickness in the range of about 10 to about 4000 microns.

13. The fibrous article of claim 10, having fibers with diameters in the range of from about 10 nanometers to about 50 microns.