Porous biomaterials
The invention provides porous biomaterials and methods for forming porous biomaterials. The porous biomaterials of the invention comprise a biocompatible polymer scaffold defining an array of pores, wherein substantially all the pores have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the pores is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all the pores are each connected to at least 4 other pores, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the pores is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the pores. The invention also provides implantable devices comprising a layer of a biomaterial, and methods for promoting angiogenesis in and around an implantable biomaterial.
1. A biomaterial, comprising a biocompatible polymer scaffold defining an array of pores, wherein substantially all the pores have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the pores is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all the pores are each connected to at least 4 other pores, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the pores is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the pores, wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold comprises silicone rubber.
2. The biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the mean pore diameter is between about 30 and about 40 micrometers.
3. The biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold is a hydrogel.
4. The biomaterial of claim 1 , wherein the biomaterial has a thickness of at least 70 micrometers.
5. An implantable device, comprising a layer of a biomaterial, wherein the biomaterial comprises a biocompatible polymer scaffold surrounding an array of monodispersed pores, wherein substantially all the pores have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the pores is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all pores are each connected to at least 4 other pores, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the pores is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the pores, wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold comprises silicone rubber.
6. The implantable device of claim 5 , wherein the layer of biomaterial has a thickness of at least 70 micrometers.
7. The device of claim 5 , wherein the device comprises a device body, wherein the layer of biomaterial is attached to the device body.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the layer of biomaterial is attached to the outer surface of the device body.
9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the device is a medical device.
10. A method for forming a biomaterial, comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a biocompatible polymer scaffold around a template comprising an array of monodisperse porogens, wherein substantially all the porogens have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the porogens is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all porogens are each connected to at least 4 other porogens, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the porogens is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the porogens, wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold comprises silicone rubber; and
(b) removing the template to produce a porous biomaterial.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the porogens are spherical beads.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the porogens comprise poly(methyl) methacrylate.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the biomaterial has a thickness of at least 70 micrometers.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein step (a) comprises forming the template by packing the porogens into a mold and fusing the porogens to form the connections between the porogens.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the porogens are fused by sintering.
16. A method for promoting angiogenesis in and around an implantable biomaterial, comprising the step of implanting a porous biomaterial, wherein the biomaterial comprises a biocompatible polymer scaffold surrounding an array of pores, wherein substantially all the pores have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the pores is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all pores are each connected to at least 4 other pores, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the pores is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the pores, wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold comprises silicone rubber.
17. A biomaterial, comprising a biocompatible polymer scaffold defining an array of pores, wherein substantially all the pores have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the pores is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all the pores are each connected to at least 4 other pores, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the pores is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the pores, wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold comprises collagen.
18. An implantable device, comprising a layer of a biomaterial, wherein the biomaterial comprises a biocompatible polymer scaffold surrounding an array of monodispersed pores, wherein substantially all the pores have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the pores is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all pores are each connected to at least 4 other pores, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the pores is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the pores, wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold comprises collagen.
19. A method for forming a biomaterial, comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a biocompatible polymer scaffold around a template comprising an array of monodisperse porogens, wherein substantially all the porogens have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the porogens is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all porogens are each connected to at least 4 other porogens, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the porogens is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the porogens, wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold comprises collagen; and
(b) removing the template to produce a porous biomaterial.
20. A method for promoting angiogenesis in and around an implantable biomaterial, comprising the step of implanting a porous biomaterial, wherein the biomaterial comprises a biocompatible polymer scaffold surrounding an array of pores, wherein substantially all the pores have a similar diameter, wherein the mean diameter of the pores is between about 20 and about 90 micrometers, wherein substantially all pores are each connected to at least 4 other pores, and wherein the diameter of substantially all the connections between the pores is between about 15% and about 40% of the mean diameter of the pores, wherein the biocompatible polymer scaffold comprises collagen.