Preparation and characterization of a highly macroporous biodegradable composite tissue engineering scaffold.
A unique composite scaffold for bone-tissue engineering applications has been prepared by combining biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) with bioresorbable calcium phosphate (CaP) cement particles through the process of particle fusion and phase separation/particle leaching. The scaffold is characterized by a highly interconnected macroporosity, with macropores of 0.8-1.8 mm and porosities ranging from 81% to 91%, and improved mechanical properties with respect to the polymer alone, producing excellent dimensional stability. The scaffold properties were controlled by adjusting the processing parameters, including PLGA molar mass and concentration, CaP/PLGA ratio, and porogen size. The differences in mechanical properties between dry, wet/room temperature, and wet/37 degrees C testing conditions, of which the latter are more relevant for materials to be employed in a biological milieu, were investigated. Thus, a scaffold made from PLGA IV 1.13, PLGA concentration 12.5%, and CaP/PLGA ratio 2:1 exhibited significantly different compressive strengths of 0.16 MPa and 0.04 MPa when tested under dry and wet/37 degrees C conditions, respectively. .
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 4 Taddle Creek Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada.
Limin
L
Guan
John E
JE
Davies
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016062:Porosity; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation*
D001843:Bone Cements; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; C020243:calcium phosphate