Patent ID: 8541015

Claim:
A method for forming a three-dimensional biological scaffold having a plurality of ordered interconnected pores, the method comprising: placing a mask having a plurality of apertures between at least one collimated light source and a volume of photo-monomer, in a first position relative to the volume of photo-monomer; directing a plurality of collimated light beams from the at least one collimated light source through the plurality of apertures into a portion of the volume of photo-monomer, while the mask remains in the first position relative to the volume of photo-monomer, to polymerize the portion to form a plurality of bio-degradable polymer waveguides; and removing photo-monomer of the volume of photo-monomer not polymerized to leave behind the three-dimensional biological scaffold having a plurality of ordered interconnected pores, wherein at least three of the plurality of bio-degradable polymer waveguides interpenetrate each other at an aperture of the plurality of apertures, and wherein the quantity and opening sizes of the plurality of apertures are selected to adjust the quantity and dimensions of the plurality of ordered interconnected pores to facilitate ingress of at least one of biological cells, vascular tissue, or nutrient media.