Development of tissue scaffolds using selective laser sintering of polyvinyl alcohol/hydroxyapatite biocomposite for craniofacial and joint defects.
The growing interest in scaffold-guided tissue engineering (TE) to guide and support cell proliferation in the repair and replacement of craniofacial and joint defects gave rise to the quest for a precise technique to create such scaffolds. Conventional manual-based fabrication techniques have several limitations such as the lack of reproducibility and precision. Rapid prototyping (RP) has been identified as a promising technique capable of building complex objects with pre-defined macro- and microstructures. The research focussed on the viability of using the selective laser sintering (SLS) RP technique for creating TE scaffolds. A biocomposite blend comprising of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and hydroxyapatite (HA) was used in SLS to study the feasibility of the blend to develop scaffolds. The biocomposite blends obtained via spray-drying technique and physical blending were subjected to laser-sintering to produce test specimens. The SLS-fabricated test specimens were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The test specimens were also tested for bioactivity by immersing the samples in simulated body fluid environment. The results obtained ascertained that SLS-fabricated scaffolds have good potential for TE applications.
Chua
C K
CK
Rapid Prototyping Research Laboratory, School of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798. mckchua@ntu.edu.sg
Leong
K F
KF
Tan
K H
KH
Wiria
F E
FE
Cheah
C M
CM
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry*; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000628:therapy*; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints; D007834:Lasers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D011208:Powders; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D011108:Polymers; D011208:Powders; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D017886:Durapatite