Composite Synthetic Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (SpringerBriefs in Materials)

This book addresses important biomaterials which are commonly used to fabricate scaffolds and it describes two major protocols employed in scaffold fabrication. Tissue engineering or regenerative medicine aims at restoring ex-novo tissues and organs whose functionality has been compromised as a consequence of diseases or traumatic events. The innovative concept underlying tissue engineering is the use of autologous cells, obtained from a biopsy of the patient. Cells are seeded on a porous scaffold which has the role of supporting and guiding cells towards the development of tissue-like structures as well as providing a platform for the delivery under controlled condition of growth factor release, etc. The successful manufacture of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications is crucial. In this book, these biomaterials are discussed. The book also covers illustrated examples, structure and properties of scaffolds, cellular interactions and drug delivery. Preface 6 Contents 7 Notations 9 1 Scaffolding Biomaterials 11 Abstract 11 1.1 Introduction 11 1.2 Biomaterials 12 1.2.1 Biopolymers 12 1.2.2 Bioceramics 12 1.2.3 Polycaprolactone (PCL) 14 1.2.4 Poly(ortho esters) and Poly(anhydrides) 15 1.2.5 Poly(glycolic acid), Poly(lactic acid) and Their Copolymers 15 1.2.6 Chitosan 16 1.2.7 Gelatin 16 1.2.8 Biodegradable Metals 17 1.2.9 Biodegradable Polymer Blends 18 1.2.10 Composites 18 References 19 2 Scaffold Fabrication Protocols 22 Abstract 22 2.1 Techniques of Producing Scaffolds 22 2.1.1 Electrospinning 23 2.1.2 Solvent Casting and Particulate Leaching 23 2.1.3 Polymer Phase Separation 23 2.1.4 Rapid Prototyping 24 2.1.5 Melt Molding 24 2.1.6 Gas Foaming 25 2.2 Electrospinning Protocol 26 2.2.1 Electrospinning Process and Principle 27 2.2.2 Nozzle Configuration 28 2.2.3 Solution Versus Melt Electrospinning 29 2.3 Parameters in Electrospinning 29 2.3.1 Processing Parameters 30 2.3.1.1 Applied Voltage 30 2.3.1.2 Flow Rate 30 2.3.1.3 Capillary Tip to Collector Distance 30 2.3.2 Solution Parameters 31 2.3.2.1 Polymer Concentration 31 2.3.2.2 Solvent Volatility 31 2.3.2.3 Solution Conductivity 31 2.4 In Vitro Degradation of Scaffolds 32 References 32 3 Fabrication of Polymer and Composite Scaffolds Using Electrospinning Techniques 34 Abstract 34 3.1 Fabrication of Poly(Caprolactone) Nano-fibrous Scaffolds Using Electrospinning Technique 34 3.1.1 Conclusions 42 3.2 Fabrication of Electrospun Hydroxyapatite/Polycaprolactone Scaffolds 43 3.2.1 Conclusions 49 Acknowledgment 49 References 50 4 Fabrication and Characterization of Polymer and Composite Scaffolds Using Freeze-Drying Technique 53 Abstract 53 4.1 Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan Scaffolds Using Freeze-Drying Technique 53 4.2 HA/PCL Composite Scaffolds Using Freeze-Drying Technique 63 4.3 Conclusions 66 Acknowledgments 66 References 67 Summary 69 Front Matter....Pages i-x Scaffolding Biomaterials....Pages 1-11 Scaffold Fabrication Protocols....Pages 13-24 Fabrication of Polymer and Composite Scaffolds Using Electrospinning Techniques....Pages 25-43 Fabrication and Characterization of Polymer and Composite Scaffolds Using Freeze-Drying Technique....Pages 45-60 Back Matter....Pages 61-61