Nanotube mat with an array of conduits for biological cells

Abstract

A nanotube mat containing one or more hydrogels is provided. The nanotube mat / hydrogel device allows for the formation of conduits partially or completely through the thickness of the device. The device could be used as support or host device for biological cells, an agent delivery device or a prosthetic interface. Carbon nanotubes and hydrogels are used to develop the device provide mechanical stability, are biocompatible, will support cell growth, allow for patterning of biological cells, allow its surfaces to be derivatized with growth factors, molecules, nutrients, inhibitory factors, ligands, transduction molecules or morphogenic factors, and would allow the formation of conduits to guide cells, neurites and axons to be hosted or grown. The hydrogel(s) within the device has(have) a dry and a hydrated state useful for creating a film layer at the surfaces of the device (or components thereof) or encapsulating or surrounding the content within the conduits.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10 / 431,334 filed May 6, 2003. U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10 / 431,334 filed May 6, 2003 is cross-reference to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 60 / 379,139 filed May 8, 2002 and U.S. Provisional application 60 / 379,067 filed May 8, 2002, which are hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to cell and tissue engineering. More particularly, the present invention relates to nanotube mats for supporting, organizing, growing or interfacing biological cells, neurites, axons or agents. BACKGROUND [0003] Cell and tissue engineering is an emerging field with solutions being directed to control, growth, hosting or interfacing of cells. There is however a need to develop devices to support cells in the third dimension. For instance, in a neural prosthesis it woul...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] Carbon nanotubes and hydrogels that are used to develop the nanotube mat / hydrogel devices provide mechanical stability, are biocompatible, will support cell growth, allow for patterning of biological cells, allow its surfaces to be derivatized with growth factors, molecules, nutrients, inhibitory factors, ligands, transduction molecules or morphogenic factors, and would allow the formation of conduits to guide cells, neurites and axons to be hosted or grown.

Problems solved by technology

However, hydrogel membranes may not be suitable for use as a lamina to support the arraying of cells and also cell growth in the third dimension.

Hydrogels such as Matrigel (a collagen sol / gel) will dissolve over a period of days and are mechanically fragile.

They are also difficult to handle in the form of, for instance, a 100-micron thick membrane.

Furthermore, they become unstable when conduits are introduced into the membrane.

Another drawback of using hydrogel membranes is that they are a proteinacious.

Furthermore, these membranes tend to stick to molds and therefore releasing compounds must be used to separate the hydrogel casting from, for instance, a SU-8 mold which might distort the final casting of the membrane with conduits.

The hydrogel matrix material may also be immunogenic and could stimulate a host's immune system leading to inflammation and ultimate failure of the device.

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