title: Fabrication of hydroxyapatite-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) scaffolds by a combination of the extrusion and bi-axial lamination processes.
abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) composite scaffolds were fabricated using a combination of the extrusion and bi-axial lamination processes. Firstly, HA/PCL composites with various HA contents (0, 50, 60, 70 wt%) were prepared by mixing the HA powders and the molten PCL at 100 degrees C and then extruded through an orifice with dimensions of 600 x 600 microm to produce HA/PCL composite fibers. Isobutyl methacrylate (IBMA) polymer fiber was also prepared in a similar manner for use as a fugitive material. The 3-D scaffold was then produced by the bi-axial lamination of the HA/PCL and IBMA fibers, followed by solvent leaching to remove the IBMA. It was observed that the HA/PCL composites had a superior elastic modulus and biological properties, as compared to the pure PCL. The fabricated HA/PCL scaffold showed a controlled pore structure (porosity of approximately 49% and pore size of approximately 512 microm) and excellent welding between the HA/PCL fibers, as well as a high compressive strength of approximately 7.8 MPa.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Jae
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Chang-Jun
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Young-Hag
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Hyoun-Ee
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hae-Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D017886:Durapatite