Novel Processing Method and Apparatus for Micro-Structured Rope-Like Material
University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a novel method for processing degradable and non-degradable polymers into micro-structured rope-like materials. This invention addresses significant needs in tissue engineering applications, including the development of engineered tendons, nerves, ligaments, and suture materials. The innovation overcomes limitations of existing technologies, allowing to produce continuous rope-like materials of unlimited length and controlled diameters. This new processing method is expected to improve regenerative medicine, offering advanced materials for tissue repair and regeneration.
Description
The new processing method utilizes a mandrel-less electrospinning system, enhanced with moving electrodes and a rope coiling mechanism, to produce micro-structured rope-like materials with circular cross-sections. This system enables the creation of continuous fibers of unlimited length, which can be layered with various orientations, such as longitudinal, circumferential, or oblique. The rope's diameter and fiber orientation can be precisely controlled, making it ideal for applications such as engineered tendons, nerves, ligaments, and sutures.Applications
- Tissue Engineering- Surgical Materials
- Biomedical Research