Non-woven keratin cell scaffold
US6461628B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2013/530613
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. The keratin materials can be incorporated into nonwoven films. The hydrogel may be used as biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications. Both the hydrogel and nonwoven materials are also suitable for use as tissue engineering scaffolds.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.