Selective laser sintering of porous tissue engineering scaffolds from poly(L: -lactide)/carbonated hydroxyapatite nanocomposite microspheres.
This study focuses on the use of bio-nanocomposite microspheres, consisting of carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHAp) nanospheres within a poly(L: -lactide) (PLLA) matrix, to produce tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds using a modified selective laser sintering (SLS) machine. PLLA microspheres and PLLA/CHAp nanocomposite microspheres were prepared by emulsion techniques. The resultant microspheres had a size range of 5-30 microm, suitable for the SLS process. Microstructural analyses revealed that the CHAp nanospheres were embedded throughout the PLLA microsphere, forming a nanocomposite structure. A custom-made miniature sintering platform was installed in a commercial Sinterstation((R)) 2000 SLS machine. This platform allowed the use of small quantities of biomaterials for TE scaffold production. The effects of laser power; scan spacing and part bed temperature were investigated and optimized. Finally, porous scaffolds were successfully fabricated from the PLLA microspheres and PLLA/CHAp nanocomposite microspheres. In particular, the PLLA/CHAp nanocomposite microspheres appeared to be promising for porous bone TE scaffold production using the SLS technique.
Zhou
Wen You
WY
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, China.
Lee
Siu Hang
SH
Wang
Min
M
Cheung
Wai Lam
WL
Ip
Wing Yuk
WY
D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D008863:Microspheres; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D018786:Bone Substitutes; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)