Methods and Apparatus for Fabricating Porous Three-Dimensional Tubular Scaffolds

• US 20100330144A1
• Filed: 06/25/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beijing Advanced Medical Technologies, Ltd. Inc.
• Original Assignee: 3D Biotek, LLC
• Inventors: Wang, Zongsen, Liu, Qing, Lau, Wing K.
• Granted Patent: US 11,305,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/423
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/02 for treating wounds, ulcers, burns, scars, keloids, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/0442 Installation or apparatus for applying liquid or other fluent material to separate articles rotated during spraying operation
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 5/0216 by relative movement of article and outlet according to a predetermined path
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/05 Filamentary, e.g. strands
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/365 using pumps, e.g. piston pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/395 using screws surrounded by a cooperating barrel, e.g. single screw extruders
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/485 Hydrostatic extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/60 using internal forming surfaces, e.g. mandrels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 55/22 of tubes B29C61/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 23/001 Pipes; Pipe joints pleated hoses B29D23/18
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/007 Medical tubes other than catheters catheters B29L2031/7542
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1362 Textile, fabric, cloth, or pile containing [e.g., web, net, woven, knitted, mesh, nonwoven, matted, etc.]

Abstract

Disclosed herein are three-dimensional porous tubular scaffolds for cardiovascular, periphery vascular, nerve conduit, intestines, bile conduct, urinary tract, and bone repair/reconstruction applications, and methods and apparatus for making the same.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional tubular scaffold comprising:

(i) a three-axis XYZ system connected to a base;

(ii) a dispensing system connected to the XYZ system;

(iii) a nozzle connected to the dispensing system; and

(iv) a fourth axis system comprising a rotary rod connected to the base under the nozzle, wherein either the rotary rod, the nozzle or both are capable of moving along a longitudinal axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system is a polymer extruder.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system is a syringe.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system is a pump.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control.

6. A method of making a three-dimensional tubular scaffold comprising:

(i) adding a polymer into the dispensing system of the apparatus of claim 1; and

(ii) dispensing the polymer through the nozzle onto the rotary rod.

7. A method claim 6, further comprising the steps of drying the polymer and removing the dried polymer from the scaffold.

8. A three-dimensional tubular scaffold comprising struts and/or fibers joined in a porous three-dimensional pattern, the scaffold having an average pore size from about 1 to about 2000 microns, wherein the scaffold is tubular.

9. The three-dimensional tubular scaffold of claim 8, wherein the struts and or fibers comprise a polymer.

10. The three-dimensional tubular scaffold of claim 9, wherein the polymer is biodegradable.

11. The three-dimensional tubular scaffold of claim 9, wherein the polymer is non-biodegradable.

12. The three-dimensional tubular scaffold of claim 8, wherein the scaffold further comprises at least one therapeutic agent.

13. The three-dimensional tubular scaffold of claim 8, wherein the struts and or fibers comprise an inorganic polymer composite.

14. The three-dimensional tubular scaffolds of claim 8, wherein the struts comprise a coating on the surface.

15. The three-dimensional tubular scaffolds of claim 8, wherein the scaffolds comprise fabric attached to the outer surface of the scaffold, the inner surface of the scaffold, or to both surfaces of the scaffold.

16. The three-dimensional tubular scaffolds of claim 15, wherein the fabric is woven or non-woven.

17. The three-dimensional tubular scaffolds of claim 15, wherein the fabric is prefabricated and attached to the scaffold or fabricated directly onto the surface of the scaffold.