	US 12,257,368 B2
	Epithelializing microporous biomaterial for use in avascular environments and in corneal implants
Gopalan V. Balaji, Kennett Square, PA (US); Paul J. Fischer, Wilmington, DE (US); Thomas B. Schmiedel, Middletown, DE (US); and Anuraag Singh, Hockessin, DE (US)
Assigned to W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Appl. No. 17/252,036
Filed by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
PCT Filed Jun. 14, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/037301 § 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 14, 2020, PCT Pub. No. WO2019/241700, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 19, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/684,843, filed on Jun. 14, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0252194 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. A61L 27/56 (2006.01); A61L 27/16 (2006.01); A61L 27/34 (2006.01); A61L 27/44 (2006.01)

CPC A61L 27/56 (2013.01) [A61L 27/16 (2013.01); A61L 27/34 (2013.01); A61L 27/44 (2013.01); A61L 2400/18 (2013.01); A61L 2430/16 (2013.01)]

20 Claims

1. A biocompatible biocomposite comprising:

a polymer scaffold having a thickness less than about 100 μm and including nodal structures that extend from at least one surface of said polymer scaffold, wherein the nodal structures are pillars that provide support to the biocompatible biocomposite; and

a hydrophilic coating on the polymer scaffold, the hydrophilic coating and the polymer scaffold defining a microstructure including pores, and

wherein the microstructure sustains viability of epithelial cells on a surface of the biocompatible biocomposite in an avascular environment.