Characterization of a novel scaffold for tissue engineering
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Abstract
Bone regeneration using degradable scaffolds gives clinicians an alternative approach to
the repair of damaged tissue while avoiding the need for a permanent implant. The
composition of the scaffold material is vital to the success of bone regeneration. The
scaffold material used should display biocompatibility, degradability, mechanical
integrity, and osteoconductivity. Scaffolds used in this study were made by the melt
molding/particulate leaching technique . The synthetic polymer, poly(DL-lactic-coglycolic
acid) (PLGA) was used in this study to construct the three dimensional porous
scaffolds. This provided the mechanical integrity for scaffold. Bioactive inorganic
element (BIE) was incorporated into the scaffold to promote osteogenesis. NaCl was
used as a water soluble porogen to create porosities. The objective of this study was to
characterize the mechanical strength and solubility of scaffolds with different
compositions of PLGNBIE with varying porosities. Scaffolds were made into cylinders
5mm in diameter by 5mm in height. Compressive strength of the scaffolds was tested
using an Instron Universal Testing Machine using the femur bone of rabbits with similar
dimensions as controls. Solubility of silicon was tested by electron dispersed x-ray
anlysis of scaffolds and Fourier Transforming Infrared Spectroscopy of culture medium
used in the incubation of the scaffolds at 37°C. Results of compressive strength test
indicate that scaffolds with at least 60% PLGA by weight and with no more than 50%
porosity has comparable compressive strength to rabbit bone. Scaffolds with more BIE
released more silicon as measured by SiOH bond compared to scaffolds with less BIE.
Scaffolds with 50% porosity and 50% bioactive inorganic element showed up to 56.6 mg
of silicon released into culture medium by 28 days.
Description
Thesis (MSD)--Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2006 (Dept. of Biomaterials).
Includes bibliography: leaves 93-100.
Includes bibliography: leaves 93-100.
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This work is being made available in OpenBU by permission of its author, and is available for research purposes only. All rights are reserved to the author.