Nanofiber Spacer for Compartmentalized Cell Culture

The nanofiber structure is segmented into multiple compartments or regions within the scaffold, creating distinct zones for different cell types or culture conditions. This segmentation is achieved through controlled electrospinning parameters or post-processing techniques that divide the continuous nanofiber matrix into functional compartments, enabling simultaneous oxygen transfer, nutrient delivery, and cell migration pathways.

The patent implements nested microchannels within the nanofiber scaffold structure, where smaller channels are embedded within the larger porous matrix. This nested architecture allows multiple functions (oxygen transfer, nutrient delivery, waste removal) to occur simultaneously within different hierarchical levels of the same structure, improving cell culture functionality without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.

The patent incorporates micropatterning features directly into the mold or substrate used during the electrospinning process. By pre-forming the desired micropattern geometry in the supporting structure, the nanofibers naturally follow this template during deposition, achieving precise micropatterning without requiring subsequent lithography or mechanical machining steps. This preliminary action transfers the pattern definition to the earliest stage of manufacturing.

The patent replaces traditional mechanical micromachining or lithography processes with an electrospinning-based self-patterning approach. Instead of using complex mechanical tools to carve or deposit patterns, the electrostatic field during electrospinning naturally guides fiber deposition along desired pathways defined by the underlying mold topology, substituting mechanical precision requirements with electrical field control.