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This technology is a delivery system for growth factors to the human body that improves growth factor retention and allows for tissue regeneration within an enclosed space.
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Background: This technology is a delivery system for growth factors to the human body that improves growth factor retention and allows for tissue regeneration within an enclosed space. This technology has been used for the repair of a small animal bone segmental defect. While much bone regeneration research is focused on the use of three-dimensional scaffolds that support loading in vivo, these scaffolds usually do not provide an optimal environment for cellular function and suffer from slow resorption kinetics. However, recently we have shown that electrospun nanofiber meshes possess a number of features that improve cell attachment, morphology, and function and promote tissue regeneration. When a growth factor is delivered within a tubular nanofiber construct to a critically-sized segmental bone defect, uniform accelerated bone regeneration was observed compared to controls and other scaffolds. Results have shown that compared to the clinical standard collagen sponge, the mesh/hydrogel system with the same dose of BMP-2 promoted significantly more bone ingrowth and higher mechanical strength at 12 weeks. Perhaps most importantly, the mesh/hydrogel system had biomechanical strength equivalent to age-matched intact (i.e. uninjured) femurs. Results from large animal studies are anticipated in 2012. Advantages and Applications: This technology can be used to regenerate tissue that has been damaged due to disease or trauma. This technology has been tested as a bone graft substitute for the repair of bone defects that do not heal without intervention. Advantages: • Provides superior retention and release of osteoinductive protein compared to current clinical standard • Reduces necessary dose of osteoinductive protein, reducing cost of procedure • Reduces the release of osteoinductive protein to non-target tissues Applications: • Orthopaedic trauma (tibial fractures and segmental defects); • Spine fusion; • Oral maxillofacial defects. Other versions of the invention may be useful for cartilage, tendon, ligament, and muscle regeneration.