The Johns Hopkins University

Kunal S Parikh

Justin Scot Hanes

Hai-Quan Mao

Peter John McDonnell

Qingguo Xu

Shuming Zhang

Fabiana Kimie Kashiwabuchi

Himat Patel

Ian Pitha

A system for forming twisted or aligned electrospun fibers has been developed. The collector for the electrospun fibers is capable of rotation. In some instances, fibers are formed between two collectors, at least one of which rotates to twist the fibers into a multifilament bundle with increased strength. In a second embodiment, a cylindrical collector rotates, and charged polymer jet uniformly coats the surface of the collector. When a drum collector rotates at a high speed, electrospun fibers align and form an array. Optionally, different active agents can be included in the electrospinning solutions to form fiber constructs with different strengths and controlled release profiles, providing a reproducible method to generate complexed structures based on electrospun fibers and controlled drug delivery profiles.

Process for making aligned or twisted electrospun fibers

Ophthalmic suture materials made from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers with high tensile strength for use in drug delivery, methods of making them, and method of using them for ocular surgery and repair have been developed. The suture materials are made from a combination of a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer and a hydrophilic biocompatible polymer. In a preferred embodiment the suture materials are made from a poly(hydroxyl acid) such as poly(1-lactic acid) and a polyalkylene oxide such as poly(ethylene glycol) or a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer. The sutures entrap (e.g., encapsulate) one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents and provide prolonged release over a period of at least a week, preferably a month.

Methods of making drug loaded microfiber sutures for ophthalmic application

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Reynoldsburg, OH, United States of America

Kunal S Parikh