Fiber scaffolds for use creating implantable structures

Abstract

A synthetic construct suitable for implantation into a biological organism that includes at least one polymer scaffold; wherein the at least one polymer scaffold includes at least one layer of polymer fibers that have been deposited by electrospinning; wherein the orientation of the fibers in the at least one polymer scaffold relative to one another is generally parallel, random, or both; and wherein the at least one polymer scaffold has been adapted to function as at least one of a substantially two-dimensional implantable structure and a substantially three-dimensional implantable tubular structure.

1 . A scaffold comprising:
 at least one layer of electrospun polymer fibers having an orientation relative to one another that is generally parallel, random, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , having a shape selected from the group consisting of a patch, an arteriovenous shunt, a vascular implant, a stent, a graft, a conduit, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , having a shape comprising ridges that increase kink resistance. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospun polymer fibers comprise a non-resorbable material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polymethylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, silicone, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyether ketone ketone, polyether ether ketone, polyether imide, polyamide, polystyrene, polyether sulfone, polysulfone, polyvinyl acetate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospun polymer fibers comprise a resorbable material selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polydioxanone, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), trim ethylene carbonate, polydiols, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospun polymer fibers comprise a natural polymer selected from the group consisting of collagen, gelatin, fibrin, fibronectin, albumin, hyaluronic acid, elastin, chitosan, alginate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospun polymer fibers comprise an elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polycaprolactone, polyethylene terephthalate, polydioxanone, chitosan, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospun polymer fibers comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, chitosan, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospun polymer fibers comprise about 90% polycaprolactone by weight, and about 10% chitosan by weight. 
     
     
         10 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospun polymer fibers comprise from about 3% to about 10% polycaprolactone by weight, and about 1% to about 50% chitosan by weight relative to the polycaprolactone. 
     
     
         11 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one type of biological cell. 
     
     
         12 . The scaffold of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one type of biological cell is selected from the group consisting of cord blood cells, platelets, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent cells, mesenchymal cells, placental cells, bone marrow derived cells, hematopoietic cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, blood, blood plasma, platelet rich plasma, stromal vascular fraction, dental pulp, fibroblasts, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , further comprising a treatment selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, growth factors, cytokines, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-neoplastic agents, fluorescence compounds, radio opaque compounds, electrically conductive compounds, ceramic compounds, metallic compounds, cell growth promoting compounds, hormones, cytokines, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , further comprising selectively dissolvable particles, fibers, or materials. 
     
     
         15 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospun polymer fibers have a diameter of about 100 nm to about 50 μm and a pore size of about 100 nm to about 250 μm. 
     
     
         16 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the electrospun polymer fibers comprise features selected from the group consisting of pores, dimples, hairs, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrically conductive material selected from the group consisting of nanodiamonds, polyaniline, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , further comprising macroscopic radial reinforcements. 
     
     
         19 . The scaffold of  claim 18 , wherein the macroscopic radial reinforcements comprise helically wound or spirally wound fibered assemblies. 
     
     
         20 . A scaffold comprising:
 at least one layer of electrospun polymer fibers having an orientation relative to one another that is generally parallel, random, or a combination thereof;   wherein the scaffold has a shape of vascular conduit; and   wherein the scaffold varies in compliance from a first side to a second side.   
     
     
         21 . The scaffold of  claim 20 , wherein the scaffold has a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         22 . The scaffold of  claim 20 , further comprising a hood-like structure on an end. 
     
     
         23 . The scaffold of  claim 20 , further comprising an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         24 . The scaffold of  claim 20 , wherein the vascular conduit is an arteriovenous shunt, the first side is an arterial side, and the second side is a venous side.