Rachel Leigh Buchanan

US Patent:

20130184835, Jul 18, 2013

Filed:

Mar 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/809291

Inventors:

Mauro Ferrari - Houston TX, US
Rachel Buchanan - Houston TX, US
Christine Smid - Houston TX, US
Ennio Tasciotti - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Board of Regents of the Unversity of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

A61L 27/56

US Classification:

623 2361, 424400, 424450, 424 937, 424 9411, 424486, 424724

Abstract:

In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects. Further embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the compositions of the present invention.