DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention features biopolymer foams, composite biopolymer foams, biocompatible constructs comprising biopolymer foams and extracellular matrix particulates and methods for making and using these foams and foam compositions.
A biopolymer is a polymer which is suitable for introduction into a living organism, e.
g.
, a mammal, e.
g.
, a human.
Preferably, the biopolymer is non-toxic and bioabsorbable when introduced into a living organism and any degradation products of the biopolymer are also non-toxic to the organism.
The biopolymers of the invention can be formed into biocompatible foams, e.
g.
, single or double density foams, composite foams, and biocompatible constructs which include biopolymer fibers, e.
g.
, collagen fibers, biopolymer fabrics, e.
g.
, collagen fabrics, and/or extracellular matrix particulates.
Examples of biopolymers which can be used in the present invention include collagen, alginic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, proteins, such as chondroitin sulfate, elastin, laminin, heparan sulfate, fibronectin and fibrinogen.
In one embodiment, a combination or mixture of one or more biopolymers can be used to form the biopolymer forms, e.
g.
, fibers, foams, and foam compositions of the invention.
For example, a combination of chondroitin sulfate and fibronectin can be used to form the biopolymer fibers described herein.
A preferred biopolymer is collagen.
Preferred sources of biopolymers include mammals such as pigs, e.
g.
, near-term fetal pigs, sheep, and cows.
Other sources of the biopolymers include both land and marine vertebrates and invertebrates.
In one embodiment, the collagen can be obtained from skins of near-term, domestic porcine fetuses which are harvested intact, enclosed in their amniotic membranes.
Collagen or combinations of collagen types can be used in the foams and foam compositions described herein.
A preferred combination of collagen types includes collagen type I, collagen type III, and collagen type IV.
Preferred mammalian tissues from which to extract the biopolymer include entire mammalian fetuses, e
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