Biological scaffolding material

Patent Number: 7,319,035

There are numerous patents issued on generation of scaffolds for the implantation of cells into a host in need of therapy. For example, Ethicon's patent 7,091,191 teaches the generation of hydrophobic polymers of hyaluronic acid that are superior to previous hyaluronic acid compositions since the the hydrophobicity extends the half-life of the polymer. Patent 6,995,013 belonging to BioMed Solutions teaches generation of scaffolds with 5 layers that are resemble more physiological scaffolds. As a matter of fact there are at least 79 US patents issued that teach the generation of various three dimensional matrices and scaffolds.

The current patent, teaches a novel method of generating such scaffolds. Specifically the patent calls for a 4 step process. The first step involves obtaining cells (not just stem cells), the second teaches to dissociate the cells so that one has a composition of cells and debris from the cells, the thirds step states that one should place the mixture of cells and cell debris under conditions that allow for the cells to remain viable so that a "living biological matrix" is formed, the forth step states to reove the culture media that the "living biological matrix" was maintained in.

This sounds like a very broad claim that could cover many approaches to the development of matrices. If one looks at the examples, one sees that indeed the applications of this technology are numerous.

Example 1 teaches the use of the approach for cartilage repair.

Example 2 teaches spinal cord repair

Example 3 teaches making of islets

Example 4 shows the islets made in example 3 work in vivo

Example 5 teaches the generation of biological matrices made from blood

View this patent on the USPTO website.