Portable electrospinning device
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7794219-B2
Publication Date
2010-09-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electrospinning device for generating a coat from a liquefied polymer, the device comprising: (a) a dispenser for dispensing the liquefied polymer; (b) a cavity having a longitudinal axis, comprising a first system of electrodes; the dispenser and the first system of electrodes being constructed and design such that the liquefied polymer is dispensed from the dispenser and forms a plurality of polymer fibers moving along the longitudinal axis; and (c) a mechanism for relocating the polymer fibers out of the cavity, in a direction of an object, so as to generate a coat on the object.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrospinning device for generating an electrospun polymer coat, using a dispenser for dispensing a liquefied polymer and a system of relocating electrodes. The dispenser and the system of relocating electrodes are arranged at an effective potential difference providing a flow stream of dispensed polymer fibers along an axis through the dispenser to the system of relocating electrodes. The dispenser and the system of relocating electrodes are accommodated in a tubular cavity axisymmetric to the stream axis, so that electrospinning fibers are guided within the cavity prior to being transferred to an object of interest.
The device further includes a mechanism adapted for relocating the polymer fibers out of the cavity in a direction of the object of interest. The document states that configurations are provided to substantially reduce electric-field remnants near the object, enabling coating in narrow openings and supporting thin coatings.
The invention optionally adds a fiber intertwining mechanism using a second system of electrodes with laterally displaced intertwining electrodes. The intertwining electrodes are configured to generate an electric field having a rotating component for moving polymer fiber bundles along a longitudinal axis, thereby increasing nonwoven strength and elasticity using a nonwoven reticular 3D structure. The document also describes use of the liquefied polymer as biocompatible and/or biodegradable, including selectable biodegradable liquefied polymer or biostable liquefied polymer, and states that charge control agents and drug incorporation can be used with the polymer.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: an electrospinning device claim and a method claim. The independent claims share the same core inventive structure of a dispenser and a system of relocating electrodes accommodated in an axisymmetric tubular cavity, with relocation of polymer fibers out of the cavity toward an object of interest.
Axisymmetric tubular cavity for dispenser and relocating electrodes
The dispenser and said system of relocating electrodes are accommodated in a tubular cavity axisymmetric to said stream axis.
Effective potential difference defining an axial fiber stream
Said dispenser and said system of relocating electrodes are at an effective potential difference providing a flow stream of dispensed polymer fibers along an axis through said dispenser to said system of relocating electrodes.
Fiber relocation mechanism directing fibers toward an object of interest
Said device further comprises a mechanism adapted for relocating said polymer fibers out of said cavity in a direction of said object of interest.
Concurrently dispensing polymer and relocating fibers to generate the coat
The dispensing of said polymer is concurrently combined with relocating polymer fibers from a cavity accommodating said dispenser and said first system of electrodes by means of a relocating mechanism.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on generating an electrospun polymer coat using an axisymmetric tubular cavity that accommodates both the dispenser and the system of relocating electrodes, applying an effective potential difference to form an axial fiber stream, and using a mechanism that relocates the polymer fibers out of the cavity toward the object while concurrently dispensing polymer to form the coat.
Stated Advantages
Improves coating in narrow openings by substantially reducing electric-field remnants near the object.
Enables thin coatings.
Increases nonwoven strength and elasticity by optionally intertwining fibers using a rotating electric-field component.
Documented Applications
Sterile wound dressings, including artificial skin.
Artificial skin or wound dressing with optional drug incorporation for delivery into a body vasculature without dressing removal.
Connecting vessel open ends via electrospun adhesion.
Fingerprint coating/transfer using optionally magnetically patterned fibers for electronic identification.
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