This technology is a graphite-containing fibrous polymeric scaffold that can encase a cartilage graft and support its integration with host cartilage.
Integration of cartilage grafts (autologous cartilage, tissue engineered cartilage, stem cell-derived cartilage, and hydrogels) with host cartilage remains an obstacle for clinical applications. This is primarily due to the zone of chondrocyte death (ZoCD), a dense region of necrosed cells lining the periphery of the wound edge in cartilage autografts and damaged host tissue. To date, no robust method has been developed that overcomes the ZoCD and successfully integrates cartilage grafts with host cartilage.
This technology is a nanofiber scaffold capable of encasing a cartilage graft as well as supporting its integration with host cartilage. The scaffold consists of electrospun fibers containing 5-15% graphite that are uniform, smooth, and unaligned, with nanometer-scale diameters. The scaffold facilitates electroactivity that mimics the natural mechano-transducing properties of cartilage, and the presence of graphite attracts fibronectin and laminin to improve integration with host cartilage. Importantly, this technology enhances chondrocyte proliferation and matrix deposition, thereby creating an efficient means of graft integration.
IR CU19168, CU19028
Licensing Contact: Joan Martinez