Patent No. JP5270360 Japan

Description:
"This patent embodies a hydrogel construct that easily facilitates tissue regeneration using precisely located bioactive agents, cells, and chemical agents. Favorable diffusion patterns are created throughout the construct to ensure adequate nutrition to cells seeded with implanted scaffolds."

Abstract:
A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for building cost-efficient biocompatible hydrogel constructs using stereolithography. Hydrogel constructs may be used in, for example, multi-lumen nerve regeneration conduits and other tissue engineering scaffolds with embedded channel architecture that facilitate tissue regeneration through possible incorporation of precisely located bioactive agents, cells, and other desired inert and/or active chemical agents and devices. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fabricating a hydrogel construct comprising: solidifying a first solution into a first construct layer with a first energy dosage using stereolithography, the first solution comprising: a first polymer; and a first photoinitiator, wherein the first polymer and first photoinitiator are of a first concentration.


UTEP Docket No: 2005-016