Method of making biomedical patches with spatially arranged fibers
A system and methods for producing a structure including a plurality of fibers is provided. The system includes a polymer collector having a predefined pattern, wherein the collector is charged at a first polarity, and a spinneret configured to dispense a polymer, wherein the spinneret is charged at a second polarity substantially opposite the first polarity such that polymer dispensed from the spinneret forms a plurality of fibers on the predefined pattern of the fiber collector.
1. A method for producing a structure including a plurality of fibers, the method comprising:
providing a collector with a predefined pattern;
charging the collector with a first polarity;
providing a spinneret, the spinneret configured to dispense a polymer on the provided collector;
charging at least a portion of the spinneret to a second polarity substantially opposite at least a portion of the first; and
dispensing the polymer on the collector via a focusing device, such that at least a portion of the polymer forms the plurality of fibers defining the structure, wherein the structure has at least two densities formed by the plurality of fibers.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising applying at least one of a growth factor and a drug to the plurality of fibers.
3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising chemically treating the plurality of fibers.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein providing the collector further comprises providing the collector including a plurality of features that are interconnected to form the predefined pattern.
5. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein providing the collector further comprise providing the collector including at least one surface positioned within the interconnected features.
6. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein providing the collector further comprises providing the collector such that the predefined pattern is configured to produce the structure with at least two fiber densities.
7. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the focusing device is charged to the second polarity.