Preparation of a novel biodegradable nanocomposite scaffold based on poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)/bioglass nanoparticles for bone tissue engineering

One of the most important challenges in composite scaffolds is pore architecture. In this study, poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) with 10% bioglass nanoparticles was prepared by the salt leaching processing technique, as a nanocomposite scaffold. The scaffolds were characterized by SEM, FTIR and DTA. The SEM images demonstrated uniformed porosities of appropriate sizes (about 250–300 μm) which are interconnected. Furthermore, higher magnification SEM images showed that the scaffold possesses less agglomeration and has rough surfaces that may improve cell attachment. In addition, the FTIR and DTA results showed favorable interaction between polymer and bioglass nanoparticles which improved interfaces in the samples. Moreover, the porosity of the scaffold was assessed, and the results demonstrated that the scaffold has uniform and high porosity in its structure (about 84%). Finally it can be concluded that this scaffold has acceptable porosity and morphologic character paving the way for further studies to be conducted from the perspective of bone tissue engineering.     

Effect of polyurethane composition and the fabrication process on scaffold properties

The microdomain structure of polyurethanes (PUR) determines their unique physical properties and makes polyurethanes attractive candidates for various tissue engineering applications. 3D scaffolds based on polyurethanes with different contents of hard segments were fabricated by a salt-leaching/polymer coagulation method. The process parameters were carefully considered, particularly the polymer solution concentration and characteristics of the polyurethane, which are the critical parameters for the control of porosity and pore size distribution. In this study, 3D polyurethane scaffolds were fabricated with interconnected pores and porosity from 64% to 80%. Pore size distribution was evaluated using quantitative image analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The scaffolds fabricated from polyurethanes with 70 wt.% of hard-domain content were found to have the best compression properties.     

Binary phase solid-state photopolymerization of acrylates: design,characterization and biomineralization of 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering

Porous polymer scaffolds designed by the cryogel method are attractive materials for a range of tissue engineering applications. However, the use of toxic crosslinker for retaining the pore structure limits their clinical applications. In this research, acrylates (HEA/PEGDA, HEMA/PEGDA and PEGDA) were used in the low-temperature solid-state photopolymerization to produce porous scaffolds with good structural retention. The morphology, pore diameter, mineral deposition and water absorption of the scaffold were characterized by SEM and water absorption test respectively. Elemental analysis and cytotoxicity of the biomineralized scaffold were revealed by using XRD and MTT assay test. The PEGDA-derived scaffold showed good water absorption ability and a higher degree of porosity with larger pore size compared to others. XRD patterns and IR results confirmed the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals from an alternative socking process. The overall cell proliferation was excellent, where PEGDA-derived scaffold had the highest and the most uniform cell growth, while HEMA/PEGDA scaffold showed the least. These results suggest that the cell proliferation and adhesion are directly proportional to the pore size, the shape and the porosity of scaffolds.     

Hydroxyapatite scaffolds processed using a TBA-based freeze-gel casting/polymer sponge technique

A novel freeze-gel casting/polymer sponge technique has been introduced to fabricate porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds with controlled “designer” pore structures and improved compressive strength for bone tissue engineering applications. Tertiary-butyl alcohol (TBA) was used as a solvent in this work. The merits of each production process, freeze casting, gel casting, and polymer sponge route were characterized by the sintered microstructure and mechanical strength. A reticulated structure with large pore size of 180–360 μm, which formed on burn-out of polyurethane foam, consisted of the strut with highly interconnected, unidirectional, long pore channels (~4.5 μm in dia.) by evaporation of frozen TBA produced in freeze casting together with the dense inner walls with a few, isolated fine pores (<2 μm) by gel casting. The sintered porosity and pore size generally behaved in an opposite manner to the solid loading, i.e., a high solid loading gave low porosity and small pore size, and a thickening of the strut cross section, thus leading to higher compressive strengths.     

Correlation between structure and compressive strength in a reticulated glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite foam

Glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite (HA) foams were produced using reticulated foam technology using a polyurethane template with two different pore size distributions. The mechanical properties were evaluated and the structure analyzed through density measurements, image analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For the mechanical properties, the use of a glass significantly improved the ultimate compressive strength (UCS) as did the use of a second coating. All the samples tested showed the classic three regions characteristic of an elastic brittle foam. From the density measurements, after application of a correction to compensate for the closed porosity, the bulk and apparent density showed a 1 : 1 correlation. When relative bulk density was plotted against UCS, a non-linear relationship was found characteristic of an isotropic open celled material. It was found by image analysis that the pore size distribution did not change and there was no degradation of the macrostructure when replicating the ceramic from the initial polyurethane template during processing. However, the pore size distributions did shift to a lower size by about 0.5 mm due to the firing process. The ceramic foams were found to exhibit mechanical properties typical of isotropic open cellular foams.     

醇化改性蓖麻油基聚氨酯/n-HA复合支架材料的结构及力学性能

有机/无机材料的两相界面作用和均匀复合是影响复合支架材料性能的主要因素。本研究通过工艺改进, 对聚氨酯软段成分进行改性得到醇化蓖麻油, 经原位聚合发泡制备出多孔复合支架, 较好地实现了纳米羟基磷灰石(n-HA)颗粒的均匀分散。结果表明, 改性聚氨酯基体有效增加了羟基值, 其与极性n-HA两相界面复合良好, 无明显界面分相和颗粒团聚发生。支架孔径分布均匀, 但支架材料的孔隙率、孔径大小和结晶度略有减小。红外光谱和X射线衍射分析表明, n-HA和醇化蓖麻油基聚氨酯基体的分子间存在丰富的氢键和化学键, 促进了无机-有机相的相容性和稳定性。醇化改性和纳米无机粒子添加对材料性能的协同作用有效改善了支架的力学性能, 复合支架的压缩强度和模量均大幅增长。该种n-HA/聚氨酯复合支架有望用于进一步的骨再生和骨组织工程研究。     

Design of porous polymeric scaffolds by gas foaming of heterogeneous blends

One of the challenges in tissue engineering scaffold design is the realization of structures with a pre-defined multi-scaled porous network. Along this line, this study aimed at the design of porous scaffolds with controlled porosity and pore size distribution from blends of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and thermoplastic gelatin (TG), a thermoplastic natural material obtained by de novo thermoplasticization of gelatin. PCL/TG blends with composition in the range from 40/60 to 60/40 (w/w) were prepared by melt mixing process. The multi-phase microstructures of these blends were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis. Furthermore, in order to prepare open porous scaffolds for cell culture and tissue replacement, the TG and PCL were selectively extracted from the blends by the appropriate combination of solvent and extraction parameters. Finally, with the proposed combination of gas foaming and selective polymer extraction technologies, PCL and TG porous materials with multi-scaled and highly interconnected porosities were designed as novel scaffolds for new-tissue regeneration.     

Fabrication of porous poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) scaffolds for tissue engineering using liquid–liquid phase separation and freeze extraction

PLLA scaffolds were successfully fabricated using liquid–liquid phase separation with freeze extraction techniques. The effects of different processing conditions, such as method of cooling (direct quenching and pre-quenching), freezing temperature (−80°C and −196°C) and polymer concentration (3, 5 and 7 wt%) were investigated in relations to the scaffold morphology. SEM micrographs of scaffolds showed interconnected porous network with pore size ranging from 20 to 60 μm. The scaffolds had porosity values ranging from 80 to 90%. Changes to the interconnected network, porosity and pore size were observed when the method of cooling and polymer concentration was changed. Direct quenching to −80°C gave a more porous interconnected microstructure with uniform pore size compared to samples prepared using pre-quenching method. Larger pores were observed for samples quenched at −80°C compared to −196°C. Scaffolds prepared using direct quenching to −196°C had higher elastic modulus and compressive stress compared to those quenched to −80°C. The compressive elastic modulus ranged from 4 to 7 MPa and compressive stress at 10% strain was from 0.13 to 0.18 MPa.     

原位自发泡制备磷酸钙/聚氨酯复合骨修复支架

磷酸钙/聚氨酯(CaP/PU)复合骨修复支架制备过程中随着材料体系粘度逐渐增大, 后期加入的发泡剂难于均匀分散, 影响支架孔隙率及孔结构均匀性。本研究在CaP/PU材料合成过程中将发泡剂水以磷酸氢钙结晶水合物(DCPD)的形式均匀复合在材料中, 在一定条件下释放结晶水与聚氨酯(PU)中的异氰酸根反应生成CO₂, 实现自发泡成型。实验结果显示, 90 ℃条件下自发泡制备的CaP/PU支架孔隙率高、孔结构均匀、贯通性好。将90 ℃发泡成型的CaP/PU多孔支架在110 ℃再熟化处理, 可提高支架的力学性能高达1倍以上。该方法简便易行, 为聚氨酯基多孔支架的制备提供了新思路。     

Polyurethane (PU) scaffolds prepared by solvent casting/particulate leaching (SCPL) combined with centrifugation

This article reports an enhanced solvent casting/particulate (salt) leaching (SCPL) method developed for preparing three-dimensional porous polyurethane (PU) scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering. The solvent for the preparation of the PU scaffolds was a mixture of dimethylformamide (DFM) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). The enhanced method involved the combination of a conventional SCPL method and a step of centrifugation, with the centrifugation being employed to improve the pore uniformity and the pore interconnectivity of scaffolds. Highly porous three-dimensional scaffolds with a well interconnected porous structure could be achieved at the polymer solution concentration of up to 20% by air or vacuum drying to remove the solvent. When the salt particle sizes of 212–295, 295–425, or 425–531 µm and a 15% w/v polymer solution concentration were used, the porosity of the scaffolds was between 83–92% and the compression moduli of the scaffolds were between 13 kPa and 28 kPa. Type I collagen acidic solution was introduced into the pores of a PU scaffold to coat the collagen onto the pore walls throughout the whole PU scaffold. The human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) cultured in the collagen-coated PU scaffold for 2 weeks were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was shown that the enhanced SCPL method and the collagen coating resulted in a spatially uniform distribution of cells throughout the collagen-coated PU scaffold.     

Fabrication of polymeric scaffolds with a controlled distribution of pores

The design of tissue engineering scaffolds must take into account many factors including successful vascularisation and the growth of cells. Research has looked at refining scaffold architecture to promote more directed growth of tissues through well-defined anisotropy in the pore structure. In many cases it is also desirable to incorporate therapeutic ingredients, such as growth factors, into the scaffold so that their release occurs as the scaffold degrades. Therefore, scaffold fabrication techniques must be found to precisely control, not only the overall porosity of scaffolds, but also the pore size, shape and spatial distribution. This work describes the use of a regularly shaped porogen, sugar spheres, to manufacture polymeric scaffolds. Results show that pre-assembling the spheres created scaffolds with a constant porosity of 60%, but with varying pores sizes from 200–800 μm, leading to a variation in the surface area and likely degradation rate of the scaffolds. Employing different polymer impregnation techniques tailored the number of pores present with a diameter of less than 100 μm to suit different functions, and altering the packing structure of the sugar spheres created scaffolds with novel layered porosity. Replacing sugar spheres with sugar strands formed scaffolds with pores aligned in one direction.     

Biodegradable polycaprolactone scaffold with controlled porosity obtained by modified particle-leaching technique

Scaffold with controlled porosity constitute a cornerstone in tissue engineering, as a physical support for cell adhesion and growth. In this work, scaffolds of polycaprolactone were synthesized by a modified particle leaching method in order to control porosity and pore interconnectivity; the aim is to observe their influence on the mechanical properties and, in the future, on cell adhesion and proliferation rates. Low molecular weight PEMA beads with an average size of 200 μm were sintered with various compression rates in order to obtain the templates (negatives of the scaffolds). Then the melt polycaprolactone was injected into the porous template under nitrogen pressure in a custom made device. After cooling and solidifying of the melt polymer, the porogen was removed by selective dissolution in ethanol. The porosity and morphology of the scaffold were studied as well as the mechanical properties. Porosities from 60% to 85% were reached; it was found that pore interconnectivity logically increases with increasing porosity, and that mechanical strength decreases with increasing porosity. Because of their interesting properties and interconnected structure, these scaffolds are expected to find useful applications as a cartilage or bone repair material.     

多孔青铜过滤片的制备工艺及结构特性探究

开发一种工艺简单、重复性好、孔形孔径易控制、制取成本低的铜基多孔材料制备工艺是当前的研究热点之一.本文以青铜粉为原料,K_2CO_3为造孔剂,采用烧结溶解法制备多孔青铜过滤片,研究了造孔剂、烧结温度对样品孔隙率的影响,分析了烧结温度、压制压力对样品最大孔径和透气系数的影响,以及孔隙率与抗压强度的关系.研究结果表明:当造孔剂体积分数为20%~40%时,所制备样品的孔隙率为22.8%~44.4%,开孔孔隙率为18.5%~37.2%;随着烧结温度的升高,样品孔隙率和透气系数下降;随着压制压力增加,最大孔径和透气系数均减小;随着样品孔隙率增大,抗压强度减小.当选择造孔剂体积分数30%、压制压力150 MPa、烧结温度800℃的工艺参数下,制备出孔隙率32.2%、最大孔径4.6μm、透气系数9.27 m~3/(h·k Pa·m~2)、压缩强度27.9 MPa的多孔青铜过滤片.     

Biodegradable polyurethane composite scaffolds containing Bioglass® for bone tissue engineering

Five types of solid and porous polyurethane composites containing 5–20 wt.% of Bioglass® inclusions were synthesized. Porous structures were fabricated by polymer coagulation combined with the salt-particle leaching method. In-vitro bioactivity tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) were carried out and the marker of bioactivity, e.g. formation of surface hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphate layers upon immersion in SBF, was investigated. The chemical and physical properties of the solid and porous composites before and after immersion in SBF were evaluated using different techniques: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Moreover the surface structure and microstructure of the composites was characterised by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), respectively. Mercury intrusion porosimetry, SEM and microtomography (μCT) were used to determine pore size distribution and porosity. The fabricated foams exhibited porosity >70% with open pores of 100–400 μm in size and pore walls containing numerous micropores of <10 μm. This pore structure satisfies the requirements for bone tissue engineering applications. The effects of Bioglass® addition on microstructure, mechanical properties and bioactivity of polyurethane scaffolds were evaluated. It was found that composite foams showed a higher storage modulus than neat polyurethane foams. The high bioactivity of composite scaffolds was confirmed by the rapid formation of hydroxyapatite on the foam surfaces upon immersion in SBF.     

Mechanical properties of porous crosslinked poly(ethyl-acrylate) for tissue engineering

Scaffolds of crosslinked poly(ethyl-acrylate) were prepared by polymerizing the monomer over a template made from Nylon fabrics compressed with different pressures; cylindrical pores in three dimensions of around 80 microns were obtained. Sample porosity and their mechanical, thermal and morphological properties were measured. Different models were analysed with the finite element method, studying the effect of the pore size and geometry on the effective properties of the scaffolds. The diameter of the pore did not influence the effective mechanical properties of the scaffold. The densification on compression of the scaffold due to pore collapse was identified on the stress–strain curve, and a correlation between the onset of this process on that curve and scaffold porosity was established.     

磷酸钙骨水泥大孔径多孔组织工程支架的制备及其纤维增强

采用粒子溶出造孔法, 用棒状谷氨酸钠晶体作为造孔粒子, 制备磷酸钙骨水泥多孔支架, 研究了造孔粒子含量和多孔支架孔隙率之间的关系, 并加入甲壳素纤维来改善支架材料的力学性能. 结果表明, 支架材料的孔隙率可达(79.8±2.3)%,孔隙直径100～600μm; 复合纤维后支架的强度提高了3～4倍, 断裂应变显著提高, 可作为非承重部位骨缺损修复的骨组织工程支架材料.     

Morphological and permeable properties of antibacterial double-layered composite nonwovens consisting of microfibers and nanofibers

Melt-blown nonwovens consisting of only micron-sized fibers were not sufficient to completely prevent bacterial invasion using a structure property of filter media composed of micro pore size alone. To improve the percent filtration efficiency (E) and antibacterial activity of nonwovens, a novel type of polyurethane (PU) composite nonwovens composed of double layers was fabricated using a combination of melt-blowing and electrospinning. In this study, melt-blown thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nonwovens were used to support the mechanical property to act as a substrate layer. In addition, the electrospun PU nanofibrous layer containing the AgCl nanoparticles (NPs) as an antibacterial agent provided antibacterial activity and filtration efficiency. Double-layered composite nonwovens were characterized in terms of pore structure and antibacterial activity. The filtration efficiency of PU composite nonwovens containing an AgCl NPs was improved in comparison with PU composite nonwovens, and their antibacterial activity against three micro-organisms was 99.9%.     

Fabrication and characterization of poly-d-l-lactide/nano-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds with poly (ethylene glycol) coating and dexamethasone releasing

The control of pore size and structure, drug release capacity, and biodegradation of scaffolds is of importance for bone tissue engineering. In this study, a technique combining polymer coagulation, cold compression molding, salt particulate leaching and drug coating method was developed to fabricate poly (ethylene glycol)/dexamethasone coated porous poly-d-l-lactide/nano-hydroxyapatite (PDLLA/nano-HAp) scaffolds. These scaffolds possess homogenous pore networks with high porosity (66-82%) and controllable pore size (200-300 μm). The compressive moduli and strength of the scaffolds after incorporation of nano-HAp were improved by 50% and 20%, respectively. The surface hydrophilicity of the scaffold was significantly improved by poly (ethylene glycol)/dexamethasone coating and nano-HAp addition, leading to a higher initial drug loading amount. The results showed that the drug release behavior of the scaffolds after 35-day immersion in water could be adjusted by varying the porosity level and by incorporation of 20 wt.% of nano-HAp.     

Processing and properties of porous titanium with high porosity coated by bioactive titania nanotubes

A porous titanium scaffold with a porosity of 70% and a pore size of about 200–300 μm was fabricated using the space-holder sintering process. Furthermore, the bioactive TiO₂ nanotubes with a tube size of approximately 100 nm were prepared successfully on the surface of the porous titanium by anodization and heat-treatment. The bioactivity of the scaffold was evaluated by immersing the samples into the simulated body fluid for 7 days. Results show that the porous titanium scaffold coated with anatase nanotubes has the superior ability of hydroxyapatite formation. Meanwhile, the scaffold has a high compressive strength of 36.8 MPa, which can be used as a cancellous bone substitute.     

Hydroxyapatite (HA) bone scaffolds with controlled macrochannel pores

Hydroxyapatite (HA) macrochanneled porous scaffolds, with a controlled pore structure, were fabricated via a combination of the extrusion and lamination processes. The scaffold was architectured by aligning and laminating the extruded HA and carbon filaments. The macrochannel pores were formed by removing the carbon filaments after thermal treatments (binder removal and sintering). The porosity of the scaffolds was varied between 48 and 73% with a controlled pore size of ∼450 μm, by adjusting the fractions of HA and carbon filaments. As the porosity was increased from 48 to 73%, the compressive strength decreased from 11.5 to 3.2 MPa. However, the osteoblast-like cell responses on the scaffold, such as the proliferation rate and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, were significantly enhanced as the porosity was increased.