Method for controlled electrospinning

US7981353B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of Washington · US

Inventors

• Stuart B. Mitchell · Lake Forest Park, US
• Joan E. Sanders · Kirkland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2006
• Grant date: Jul 19, 2011
• Expiry date: May 3, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D01D5/0092
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrospinning apparatus and methodology is described that produces medical devices, such as scaffolds that induce the formation of a natural fibrous structure (primarily collagen and elastin) in a tissue-engineered medical device. The apparatus uses collection surfaces designed to manipulate or change the electrostatic field so that the electrospun fibers are arranged in desirable patterns that are similar to or mimic the fibrillar structure of an animal tissue. The manipulation results in fibers that are preferentially oriented in a predefined pattern. In addition, the interfiber space between the fibers and the fiber diameter are consistently within a predefined range. Using these techniques in conjunction with controlling polymer properties enables the production of a scaffold that has the structural and mechanical characteristics similar to the native tissue.