Collagen fibres with improved strength for the repair of soft tissue injuries.
Our laboratory has developed a process for self-assembly of high strength collagen fibres in vitro which exhibit the characteristic D period. These fibres can be cross-linked by severe dehydration (dehydrothermal cross-linking) at elevated temperature and formulated into devices used to repair soft tissues. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dehydrothermal cross-linking time and temperature on the tensile mechanical properties of collagen fibres. The results discussed indicate that the tensile strength of reconstituted collagen fibres is optimized by cross-linking for 5 d at 110 degrees C. Tensile strength and modulus values of 91.8 and 896 MPa are reported for fibres cross-linked in this manner. High tensile strength and modulus values are especially important in developing biodegradable materials that promote healing of orthopaedic structures.
Wang
M C
MC
Department of Pathology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway 08854.
Pins
G D
GD
Silver
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FH
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003890:Desiccation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D013623:Tail; D013696:Temperature; D013710:Tendons / Q000737:chemistry; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014867:Water; D014945:Wound Healing
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D014867:Water; D003094:Collagen