Novel biodegradable elastomeric scaffold for tissue engineering and light scattering fingerprinting methods for testing the same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel biocompatible polymer that may be used in tissue engineering. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using a citric acid copolymers.

1 . A composition comprising a citric acid polyester having the generic formula (A-B-C)n, wherein 
 A is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer;    B is citric acid,    C is a linear aliphatic dihydroxy monomer, and    n is an integer greater than 1.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein A is a linear diol comprising between about 2 and about 20 carbons.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein C is a linear diol comprising between about 2 and about 20 carbons.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein both A and C are the same linear diol.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said linear diol is 1,8, octanediol.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein A and C are different linear diols.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said linear aliphatic dihydroxy poly 1,8-octanediol co-citric acid.  
     
     
         8 . A substrate for use in tissue engineering comprising a citric acid polymer of any of claims  1 - 7  formulated into a cell culture substrate.  
     
     
         9 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate further comprises a surface modification.  
     
     
         10 . The substrate of  claim 1 , wherein said polymer is biodegradeable.  
     
     
         11 . A method of producing engineered tissue, comprising: 
 a. providing a biodegradable citric acid polymer of any of claims  1 - 7 ; and    b. culturing cells of said tissue on the scaffold of part (a).    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said polymer is poly 1 ,8-octanediol-co-citric acid, or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said cells are selected from the group consisting of endothelial cells, ligament tissue, muscle cells, bone cells, cartilage cells.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said engineered tissue is produced in a bioreactor.