IP Library Granted Patent US 12,685,804
Granted Patent B2
US 12,685,804 · App. 18/418,012 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Composite materials and methods of making and using the same

Inventors: Brendan A. C. Harley (Urbana, IL); Marley J. Dewey (Champaign, IL); Justine Lee (Los Angeles, CA)
Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
A61L27/56A61L27/12A61L27/20A61L27/24A61L27/365
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,685,804
App. No.
18/418,012
Filed
Jan 19, 2024
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
1712
USPC
427/2.27
Abstract

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.

Claims (21)

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.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 17, 2025
From: HARLEY, BRENDAN A.C.; DEWEY, MARLEY J.
To: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
Reel/Frame 072288/0195 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Sep 5, 2024
From: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
To: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Reel/Frame 068489/0651 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63440325 · Jan 20, 2023
Related Publication 20240408280A1 · Dec 12, 2024
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