Composite materials and methods of making and using the same
Composite materials including a macroporous structure having a Voronoi architecture and a microporous biomaterial integrated into the macroporous structure are provided. Methods of making the composite materials and methods of using the materials to treat a bone defect are also provided.
1 . A composite material comprising:
a macroporous structure having a Voronoi architecture, the macroporous structure comprising a deformable mesh comprising a plurality of pores;
a microporous biomaterial integrated into the macroporous structure; and
wherein the macroporous structure is configured to achieve conformal shape-fitting via the deformable mesh when implanted within a bone defect.
2 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the mesh comprises pores of at least about 0.5 mm in at least one dimension.
3 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the macroporous structure comprises fibers connecting points defining the Voronoi architecture.
4 . The composite material of claim 3 , wherein the fibers have a diameter of about 10 μm to about 2 mm.
5 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the macroporous structure comprises at least a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the pore size of the first portion is greater than the pore size of the second portion.
6 . The composite material of claim 5 , wherein a ratio of the pore size of the first portion to the second portion is up to about 10:1.
7 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the macroporous structure is a two-dimensional structure having a first surface and a second surface.
8 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the macroporous structure is a three-dimensional structure.
9 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the macroporous structure is isotropic or anisotropic.
10 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the macroporous structure has a Young's modulus between 100 kPa and 250 MPa.
11 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the macroporous structure is capable of elastic deformation for up to 20% of applied strain, plastic deformation for up to 80% strain, or both.
12 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the biomaterial comprises collagen, glycosaminoglycans, calcium phosphate, or a combination of two or more thereof.
13 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the biomaterial is not covalently linked to the macroporous structure.
14 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the biomaterial is covalently linked to the macroporous structure.
15 . A method of treating a bone defect, comprising:
implanting a composite material comprising a macroporous structure having a Voronoi architecture and a microporous biomaterial integrated into the macroporous structure in a bone defect in a subject, wherein the macroporous structure comprises a deformable mesh comprising a plurality of pores and wherein the deformable mesh allows the macroporous structure to achieve conformal shape-fitting within the bone defect.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising shaping the composite material to the bone defect prior to implanting the composite material in the subject.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising hydrating the composite material in a sterile solution prior to implanting in the subject.