Manufacturing three-dimensional scaffolds using electrospinning at low temperatures

• US 9,011,754 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2007
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
• Original Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
• Inventors: Leong, Meng Fatt, Lim, Tze Chiun, Chian, Kerm Sin
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNSTON, JENNIFER ANN
• Application Number:
  US12/517,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20100093093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,694 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 264/465
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/38 containing added animal cells organs or tissue containing native cells A61L27/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3847 Bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/56 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/58 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/60 Materials for use in artificial skin
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 9/00 Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof mechanical aspects of shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state for the production of porous or cellular articles B29C
• CPC Class Codes: D01D 5/0076 characterised by the collecting device, e.g. drum, wheel, endless belt, plate or grid D01D5/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

The present invention refers to an apparatus and a method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional scaffold at low temperatures and the respective use of this method and apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional scaffold using an apparatus for electrospinning comprising a high-voltage power supply;

at least one spinneret connected to at least one container comprising a solution with at least one polymer dissolved therein; and

a collector, wherein said method comprises;

forming crystals from a molecule or group of molecules in vapor phase comprised in the surrounding atmosphere at the surface of said collector, wherein said collector has a temperature which allows formation of crystals at said surface of said collector;

electrospinning said solution comprising at least one polymer dissolved therein around said crystals;

continuing said formation of crystals and said electrospinning simultaneously; and

removing said crystals by sublimation, wherein said crystals are formed from CO₂ comprised in said surrounding atmosphere which are removed by sublimation.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising increasing or decreasing the temperature of said collector as long as said temperature allows freezing of said molecules or group of molecules from said surrounding atmosphere at said surface of said collector.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising increasing or decreasing the temperature around said collector of said electrospinning apparatus.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising varying the time interval between said electrospinning and said formation of crystals.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising varying at least one of the parameters selected from the group consisting of needle size, voltage, concentration of said at least one polymer in said solution and flow rate of said solution comprising said at least one polymer dissolved therein.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one polymer is a biocompatible polymer.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said collector is rotatable around at least one axis.