Drexel University

University of Pennsylvania

Foster-Boyd, Inc.

Frank K Ko

Paul Ducheyne

Michele S Marcolongo

William LaCourse

Cato T Laurencin

Alan G MacDiarmid

Peter I Lelkes

Mengyan Li

Helen H Lu

Andrzej Fertala

Mark J Mondrinos

Ian D Norris

David F Hursh

James B Johnston

Mohammed A Attawia

Jeffrey W Bruner

Manal Shaker

Ryzard M Lec

James A Cooper

Degradable, polymeric fiber-based, three-dimensional braided scaffolds for use as graft materials in ligament and tendon repair, reconstruction and replacement are provided. Also provided are methods for preparing these scaffolds.

Ligament and tendon replacement constructs and methods for production and use thereof

Non-woven fibrous scaffolds made by electrospinning from the synthetic biodegradable polymer such as, for example, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and natural proteins, such as, for example, gelatin (denatured collagen) and elastin and a method of making thereof.

Electrospun blends of natural and synthetic polymer fibers as tissue engineering scaffolds

A process of making conductive polymeric fibers by electrospinning fibers from a blend of polymers dissolved in an organic solvent includes generating a high voltage electric field between oppositely charged polymer fluid in a glass syringe () with a capillary tip () and a metallic collection screen () and causing a polymer jet () to flow to the screen () as solvent evaporates and collecting fibers on the screen ().

Electrospinning ultrafine conductive polymeric fibers

Tissue engineering scaffolds comprising collagen or a collagen-like peptides incorporated within or between polymeric fibers and methods for their production are provided.

Collagen or collagen-like peptide containing polymeric matrices

Tissue engineering devices with enhanced cell adhesion, cell proliferation and directional growth are provided which are prepared from nonwoven nanofibril matrices.

Hybrid nanofibril matrices for use as tissue engineering devices

Composite materials formed from bone bioactive glass or ceramic fibers and structural fibers are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, a braid or mesh of interwoven bone bioactive glass or ceramic fibers and structural fibers is impregnated with a polymeric material to provide a composite of suitable biocompatibility and structural integrity. Most preferably, the mesh or braid is designed so that the bioactive fibers are concentrated at the surface of the implant to create a surface comprised of at least 30% bioactive material, thereby providing enhanced bone ingrowth. The interweaving between the bone bioactive glass or ceramic fibers and the core of structural fibers overcomes the problems found in prior composite systems where the bioactive material delaminates from the polymer. Preferred bioactive materials include calcium phosphate ceramics and preferred structural fibers include carbon fibers. Further preferred bioactive materials include aluminum oxide at greater than 0.2%, by mole. Improved prosthetic implants and methods of affixing an implant are thus also disclosed.

Composite materials using bone bioactive glass and ceramic fibers

Composite materials formed from bone bioactive glass or ceramic fibers and structural fibers are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, a braid or mesh of interwoven bone bioactive glass or ceramic fibers and structural fibers is impregnated with a polymeric material to provide a composite of suitable biocompatibility and structural integrity. Most preferably, the mesh or braid is designed so that the bioactive fibers are concentrated at the surface of the implant to create a surface comprised of at least 30% bioactive material, thereby providing enhanced bone ingrowth. The interweaving between the bone bioactive glass or ceramic fibers and the core of structural fibers overcomes the problems found in prior composite systems where the bioactive material delaminates from the polymer. Preferred bioactive materials include calcium phosphate ceramics and preferred structural fibers include carbon fibers. Improved prosthetic implants and methods of affixing an implant are thus also disclosed.

A knit sock, especially for jogging or other athletic activity, has a foot portion consisting of a first inner layer or ply disposed inside a second outer layer or ply. The first ply of the foot portion has an inner surface adapted to contact the skin formed principally of yarns having high frictional characteristics, high thermal conductivity, and low moisture regain (hydrophobic). Its opposed surface is formed principally of yarns having relatively low frictional characteristics. The second ply has an inner surface which has low frictional characteristics and its outer surface is formed of yarns having relatively high frictional characteristics and high moisture regain (hydrophilic). The latter surface may also be formed with terry loops to enhance its shock-absorbing construction as well as to increase its moisture absorbing capacity.

Growing community of inventors

Philadelphia, PA, United States of America

Frank K Ko