Tissue engineering scaffolds
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising;
- a) providingi) a plurality of particles, said particles comprising a porogen comprising salt crystals andii) a solution comprising a biocompatible polymer;
b) exposing said porogen to between approximately 90%-100% humidity for a duration ranging between 1 hour-36 hours such that said porogen fuses together to produce a framework comprising a frame and free space between said fused porogen, wherein said free space increases as said duration increases;
c) contacting said framework with said solution under conditions such that said solution fills greater than 75% of said free space;
d) treating said solution such that said polymer forms a scaffold; and
e) removing said fused porogen from said scaffold.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the production of scaffolds, such scaffolds to be used for a variety of purposes, including tissue engineering. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of fused crystals, such as fused salt crystals to form a framework. The methods for producing the scaffolds of this invention improve the porosity, interconnectivity and ease of manufacture as compared to prior art methods.
79 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method, comprising;
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a) providing i) a plurality of particles, said particles comprising a porogen comprising salt crystals and ii) a solution comprising a biocompatible polymer; b) exposing said porogen to between approximately 90%-100% humidity for a duration ranging between 1 hour-36 hours such that said porogen fuses together to produce a framework comprising a frame and free space between said fused porogen, wherein said free space increases as said duration increases; c) contacting said framework with said solution under conditions such that said solution fills greater than 75% of said free space; d) treating said solution such that said polymer forms a scaffold; and e) removing said fused porogen from said scaffold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, consisting of;
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a) providing i) a plurality of particles, said particles comprising a porogen comprising salt crystals and ii) a solution comprising a biocompatible polymer; b) exposing said porogen to between approximately 90%-100% humidity for a duration ranging between 10 minutes-36 hours such that said porogen fuses together to produce a framework comprising a frame and free space between said fused porogen, wherein said free space increases as said duration increases; c) contacting said framework with said solution under conditions such that said solution fills greater than 75% of said free space; d) treating said solution such that said polymer forms a scaffold; and e) removing said fused porogen from said scaffold. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification