Characterization of PLLA scaffolds for biomedical applications |
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Authors: | Simona Maria Fiorentino Francesco Carfì Pavia Vincenzo La Carrubba Valerio Brucato Michela Abrami Rossella Farra |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy;2. Department of Civil, Environmental, Aerospatiale and Materials Engineering, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy;3. Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Trieste, Italy |
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Abstract: | The porosity and pore size distribution of three-dimensional scaffolds have direct implications on their biomedical applications (tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound dressing). Accordingly, in this paper, a fast, facile, and conservative method relying on low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) for the evaluation of mean pore size and pore size distribution of polymeric scaffolds is reported. The applicability of the technique is demonstrated on poly-L-lactic acid scaffolds fabricated using the thermal induced phase separation. Results obtained through LF-NMR are successfully compared to scanning electron microscope and X-ray microcomputed tomography micrographs. |
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Keywords: | Low-field NMR phase separation PLLA pore size distribution scaffold |
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