Patent ID: 8652215

Claim:
An implantable synthetic scaffold for tissue regeneration comprising: a scaffold structure comprising (i) a plurality of uniaxially oriented nanofibers oriented within 20 degrees of the uniaxial orientation, the nanofibers consisting essentially of at least one synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(hydroxyl acids), poly(lactic) acids, polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polyamides, polyalkylenes, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl alcohols, poly(butyric acid), polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(valeric acid), poly(lactide-co-caprolactone), poly(acrylonitrile), derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof, and (ii) a tubular conduit consisting essentially of a synthetic polymer, the nanofibers being disposed within an annular channel defined by and within the tubular conduit, wherein the scaffold structure is effective to guide cell migration in vitro or in vivo without requiring exogenous trophic or extracellular matrix factors.