Composite scaffold for the repair, reconstruction, and regeneration of soft tissues
A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.
1. A composite scaffold comprising:
a support structure comprising first and second outer layers separated by an interior space, and a plurality of spacer elements extending through the interior space and connecting the first and second outer layers, the support structure having an exterior profile; and
a microporous matrix disposed within the interior space and having a multitude of interconnected pores opening exteriorly of the support structure;
wherein a plurality of the interconnected pores are oriented relative to dimensional characteristics of the support structure.
2. The composite scaffold of claim 1 wherein the plurality of interconnected pores are oriented radially inward into the interior space from exterior surfaces of the exterior profile.
3. The composite scaffold of claim 1 wherein the plurality of interconnected pores are oriented towards a length dimension of the support structure.
4. The composite scaffold of claim 1 wherein the support structure has a substantially rectangular shaped cross-sectional exterior profile.
5. The composite scaffold of claim 1 wherein the support structure has a substantially circular shaped cross-sectional exterior profile.