Composite fibers and matrices thereof

Abstract

Cellulose derivative-polyester composite fibers, matrices including such fibers, and methods for making and using such fibers and matrices are disclosed.

1 . A fiber, comprising polyester and a cellulose derivative, wherein the fiber has a diameter of less than about 5000 nm. 
     
     
         2 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose derivative is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate (CA), ethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxymethylcellulose, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose derivative comprises CA. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester is selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(caprolactone) (PCL), Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA); Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB); Polyethylene adipate (PEA); Polybutylene succinate (PBS); Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)(PHBV); Polyethylene terephthalate (PET); Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT); Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester is selected from the group consisting of PLA, PGA, PLGA, PCL and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester is at least 70% by weight of the fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose derivative is present in the fiber at between about 3% to about 50% weight percentage of polyester in the fiber. 
     
     
         9 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose derivative comprises CA, and wherein the CA is present in the fiber at between about 3% to about 25%. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose derivative comprises CA, and wherein the molecular weight of the CA is between about 20,000 D and about 75,000 D. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polyester comprises PLGA having a molecular weight between about 40 kD and about 250 kD. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber has a diameter between about 100 nm and about 1500 nm. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The fiber of  claim 1 , further comprising between about 1% to about 15% by weight of a cargo. 
     
     
         17 . The fiber of  claim 16 , wherein the cargo is selected from the group consisting of therapeutic agents, diagnostic agents, peptides, growth factors, and detectable labels. 
     
     
         18 . A matrix comprising a plurality of the nanofibers of  claim 1 , wherein the nanofibers are linked together to form the matrix. 
     
     
         19 . The matrix of  claim 18 , wherein the matrix is between about 50 mm 2  and about 80 cm 2  in size. 
     
     
         20 . The matrix of  claim 18 , wherein the matrix comprises a fiber layer that is between about 500 μm and about 2 mm thick. 
     
     
         21 . The matrix of  claim 20 , wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of fiber layers. 
     
     
         22 . The matrix of  claim 18 , comprising biological cells seeded on and/or within the matrix. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The matrix of  claim 18 , further comprising a cargo loaded on and/or within the matrix. 
     
     
         25 . A method for making a fiber, comprising:
 (a) adding a cellulose derivative, such as CA, to a solution of a polyester dissolved in an organic solvent to form a cellulose derivative-polyester solution; and   (b) electrospinning the cellulose derivative-polyester solution to form a cellulose derivative-polyester fiber.   
     
     
         26 .- 27 . (canceled)