Apparatus for controlled electrospinning

US9085830B2 · 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: Jul 5, 2011
• Grant date: Jul 21, 2015
• Expiry date: May 20, 2034

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.