Current methods of scaffold design to test the stability of regenerating connective tissues and their interfaces include using stratified scaffolds with multiple phases or scaffolds with a gradient of growth factors. These methods, however, do not offer micron-scale interfacial features, which are inherent in native structures. In addition, the scaffolds are composed of transplanted cells which limit large scale commercialization due to contamination, pathogen transmission, packing, and shipping issues. As such, there is a need for a method that precisely delivers growths factors into a customizable scaffold for robust, high-throughput tissue regeneration.
This technology is a method for producing growth factors encapsulated in microspheres that are embedded into polycarprolactone (PCL) microfibers to generate custom 3D-printed scaffolds for tissue regeneration. The microspheres are mixed with molten PCL and extruded from a needle to enable micro-precise layer-by-layer deposition of PCL microfibers to create a 3D tissue scaffold. Multiple growth factors can be easily embedded in the scaffold by swapping dispensing cartridges during a single printing process. Additionally, the rate of growth factor release can be controlled by changing the composition of growth factor and polymer microspheres. Consequently, this technology may serve as an important tool for the regeneration of complex and inhomogeneous tissues for ready-to-implant grafts.
This technology has been validated with human mesenchymal stem cells, where spatiotemporal delivery of growth factors embedded in 3D-printed scaffolds led to the formation of micron-scale multi-tissue interfaces.
IR CU15088
Licensing Contact: Cynthia Lang
