Composite scaffold for the repair, reconstruction, and regeneration of soft tissues
Inventors
Rocco, Kevin A. • Mohanraj, Bhavana • Ott, Jeffrey • Bendigo, Justin • Komenda, Jacob Edward • Aronson, Mark Theodore • Carter, Andrew James
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11986384-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.
Core Innovation
A problem being solved is to provide a biomimetic composite soft-tissue scaffold that resists compression or collapse under tension while enabling cell infiltration and neo-tissue formation. The solution combines a three-dimensional textile support with a microporous matrix so the interior void space of the composite scaffold supports tissue growth while maintaining mechanical reinforcement. The microporous matrix includes a multitude of interconnected pores that open to an exterior surface of the microporous matrix and collectively define void space.
The composite scaffold includes first and second outer layers separated by an interior space therebetween, and the microporous matrix is disposed within the interior space. A plurality of spacer yarns extend through the interior space and are attached to each of the first and second outer layers. The microporous matrix and the three-dimensional textile structure together define a composite scaffold with targeted microporous characteristics such as void space and interconnected pores.
Quantitative targets are provided for properties including surface area, void space volume, porosity, permeability, pore size, and tortuosity, with pore tortuosity defined as a ratio of actual flow path length to straight distance between first and second ends of the microporous matrix. The described approach also includes measurement concepts for pore and surface characteristics, such as mercury intrusion porosimetry and gas adsorption, to support selection of the pore structure within specified ranges.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides four independent claims. Across these independent claims, the core claim elements cover a microporous matrix with interconnected pores defining void space and a three-dimensional textile support with first and second outer layers separated by an interior space and spacer yarns extending through and attached to both layers, with each independent claim adding a specific quantitative constraint relating to surface area, permeability, pore tortuosity, or median pore size.
Microporous matrix supported by a three-dimensional textile structure with spacer yarns and targeted surface area
A composite scaffold comprising a microporous matrix having a multitude of interconnected pores opening to an exterior surface of the microporous matrix and collectively defining void space; and a three-dimensional textile structure supporting the microporous matrix and comprising first and second outer layers separated by an interior space therebetween and the microporous matrix within the interior space, and a plurality of spacer yarns extending through the interior space and attached to each of the first and second outer layers, wherein a surface area of the composite scaffold is between approximately 0.3 m2/gram and 15.0 m2/gram per gram of the composite scaffold.
Microporous matrix supported by a three-dimensional textile structure with spacer yarns and targeted permeability
A composite scaffold having a volume and a surface area and comprising a microporous matrix having a multitude of interconnected pores collectively defining void space opening to an exterior surface of the microporous matrix; and a three-dimensional textile structure supporting the microporous matrix and comprising first and second outer layers separated by an interior space therebetween and the microporous matrix within the interior space, and a plurality of spacer yarns extending through the interior space and attached to each of the first and second outer layers, wherein the composite scaffold has a permeability of between approximately 1200 and 3000 millidarcy.
Interconnected pore tortuosity within a microporous matrix supported by a three-dimensional textile structure with spacer yarns
A composite scaffold comprising a microporous matrix having a multitude of interconnected pores opening to an exterior surface of the microporous matrix and collectively defining void space having a void space volume; and a three-dimensional textile structure supporting the microporous matrix and comprising first and second outer layers separated by an interior space therebetween and the microporous matrix disposed within the interior space, and a plurality of spacer yarns extending through the interior space and attached to each of the first and second outer layers, wherein the multitude of interconnected pores have a tortuosity of approximately between 1 cm/cm and 50 cm/cm, wherein the tortuosity defines a ratio of actual flow path length to straight distance between first and second ends of the microporous matrix.
Microporous matrix with interconnected pores having a median pore size within a textile support with spacer yarns
A composite scaffold comprising a three-dimensional textile support structure comprising first and second outer layers defining an interior space therebetween and separated by the interior space, and further comprising a plurality of spacer yarns extending through the interior space and attached to each of the first and second outer layers; and a microporous matrix disposed within the interior space of the support structure, wherein the microporous matrix comprises a plurality of interconnected pores having a median pore size of between approximately 10 μm to 100 μm.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a composite scaffold that integrates a microporous matrix with interconnected pores defining void space and a three-dimensional textile support formed by two outer layers separated by an interior space, with spacer yarns extending through and attached to both outer layers, while constraining specific pore- and transport-related metrics via quantitative ranges for surface area, permeability, pore tortuosity, or median pore size.
Stated Advantages
Resists compression or collapse under tension while providing mechanical reinforcement.
Provides high porosity and interconnected void space for cell infiltration and neo-tissue formation.
Provides permeability for cell infiltration and neo-tissue formation.
Provides elevated surface area and void volume within the microporous matrix to support tissue growth.
Documented Applications
Ligament and tendon repair and reconstruction contexts, including ACL and rotator cuff.
Reconstruction of soft tissues, including knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and hand soft tissues.
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