THREE DIMENSIONAL FABRICATION OF BIOCOMPATIBLE STRUCTURES IN ANATOMICAL SHAPES AND DIMENSIONS FOR TISSUE ENGINEERING AND ORGAN REPLACEMENT
First Claim
1. An article for use as a template for cell growth, comprising:
- a structure formed by a multi-photon lithographic process and comprising a photocurable polymer, the structure comprising at least one wall defining a cavity; and
a plurality of pores having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 40 microns formed in at least a portion of the wall and permeating the wall, thereby enabling exchange of a component between a portion interior to the cavity and a portion exterior to the cavity,wherein the structure comprises overlapping pores, andwherein the structure is constructed and arranged for use as a template for cell growth.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses involving biocompatible structures for tissue engineering and organ replacement and, more specifically, biocompatible structures formed by three-dimensional fabrication, are described. In some embodiments, the biocompatible structures are scaffolds for cells that can be used as tissue engineering templates and/or as artificial organs. The structures may be three-dimensional and can mimic the shapes and dimensions of tissues and/or organs, including the microarchitecture and porosities of the tissues and organs. Pores in the structure may allow delivery of molecules across the structure, and may facilitate cell migration and/or generation of connective tissue between the structure and its host environment. Structures of the invention can be implanted into a mammal and/or may be used ex vivo as bioartificial assist devices.
25 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An article for use as a template for cell growth, comprising:
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a structure formed by a multi-photon lithographic process and comprising a photocurable polymer, the structure comprising at least one wall defining a cavity; and a plurality of pores having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 40 microns formed in at least a portion of the wall and permeating the wall, thereby enabling exchange of a component between a portion interior to the cavity and a portion exterior to the cavity, wherein the structure comprises overlapping pores, and wherein the structure is constructed and arranged for use as a template for cell growth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25)
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3. (canceled)
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6-7. -7. (canceled)
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11. (canceled)
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18. (canceled)
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19. An article for use as a template for cell growth, comprising:
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a structure formed by a multi-photon lithographic process and comprising a photocurable polymer, the structure comprising at least one wall defining a cavity, the cavity having an inner diameter of less than 300 microns; and a plurality of pores formed in at least a portion of the wall and permeating the wall, thereby enabling exchange of a component between a portion interior to the cavity and a portion exterior to the cavity, wherein the structure comprises overlapping pores, and wherein the structure is constructed and arranged for use as a template for cell growth. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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26. An article for use as a template for cell growth, comprising:
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a structure formed by a multi-photon lithographic process and comprising a photocurable polymer, the structure comprising at least one wall defining a cavity; and a plurality of pores having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 40 microns formed in at least a portion of the wall and permeating the wall, thereby enabling exchange of a component between a portion interior to the cavity and a portion exterior to the cavity, wherein a crosslinking density is varied within different portions of the structure, and wherein the structure is constructed and arranged for use as a template for cell growth. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An article for use as a template for cell growth, comprising:
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a structure formed by a multi-photon lithographic process and comprising a photocurable polymer, the structure comprising at least one wall defining a cavity, the cavity having an inner diameter of less than 300 microns; and a plurality of pores formed in at least a portion of the wall and permeating the wall, thereby enabling exchange of a component between a portion interior to the cavity and a portion exterior to the cavity, wherein a crosslinking density is varied within different portions of the structure, and wherein the structure is constructed and arranged for use as a template for cell growth. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification