Biocomposite for artificial tissue design

Abstract

The present invention concerns a biocomposite useful in artificial tissue replacement, methods for its production, and methods of use. The biocomposite can be implanted into humans or animals as an artificial tissue for treatment of a tissue defect. The biocomposite can be formed or manipulated into a desired shape for implantation.

1 . A synthetic biocomposite comprising a biotic material and an abiotic material. 
     
     
         2 . The biocomposite of  claim 1 , wherein the biotic material is collagen and the abiotic material is a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The biocomposite of  claim 1 , wherein the biocomposite is a fiber comprising an intertwined polymer emulsion and fibrils. 
     
     
         4 . The biocomposite of  claim 3 , wherein the fibrils are collagen fibrils. 
     
     
         5 . The biocomposite of  claim 1 , wherein the abiotic material is a polymer emulsion. 
     
     
         6 . The biocomposite of  claim 1 , wherein the abiotic material comprises a copolymer emulsion. 
     
     
         7 . The biocomposite of  claim 6 , wherein the copolymer is ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate. 
     
     
         8 . The biocomposite of  claim 1 , further comprising a biologically active agent. 
     
     
         9 . The biocomposite of  claim 8 , wherein the biologically active agent is a cell. 
     
     
         10 . A device comprising a surface with a synthetic biocomposite comprising a biotic material and an abiotic material. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is a medical implant. 
     
     
         12 . A method for producing a synthetic biocomposite, comprising polymerizing a biotic material and an abiotic material by emulsion polymerization, thereby forming the synthetic biocomposite. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biotic material is collagen and the abiotic material is a polymer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biocomposite is a fiber comprising an intertwined polymer emulsion and fibrils. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fibrils are collagen fibrils. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the abiotic material is a polymer emulsion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the abiotic material comprises a copolymer emulsion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the copolymer is ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biocomposite further comprises a biologically active agent. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the biologically active agent is a cell. 
     
     
         21 . A method for treating a tissue defect, comprising applying a synthetic biocomposite at the site of the defect, wherein the biocomposite comprises a biotic material and an abiotic material.