Melt Processed PCL/PEG Scaffold With Discrete Pore Size Gradient for Selective Cellular Infiltration

Abstract

In order to develop scaffold able to mimic the natural gradient properties of tissues, biphasic and triphasic approaches were adopted. In this work, polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG) scaffolds were prepared by using a combination of melt mixing and selective leaching without harmful solvents. The method permitted to develop three-layer scaffolds with high control of porosity and pore size. The mechanical properties were evaluated under physiological condition in order to simulate the real conditions of work. Co-culture of osteoblastic and fibroblastic mice cells were carried out in order to study the differential cellular permeation through the different pore size layers.

Mechanical behavior of polylactic acid/polycaprolactone porous layered functional composites

“…The porosity, calculated by Eq. (2), is very close to that theoretically predicted for all the laminates, hence suggesting that all the porogen agents were extracted from devices within the leaching step [12,13]. The data collected about the connectivity, calculated according to Eq.…”

“…Fig. 4a confirms that the macropore structure of the two layers is very similar but the PCL phase is characterized by a continuous network of micro-pores (about 5 mm), likely due to the solvation of the PEG phase [12], clearly visible at higher magnification (see Fig. 4b).…”

“…Getting into the details, one may notice that the compressive modulus was found to depend only on the weakest layer (PCL), regardless of PLA thickness [12,13]. For this reason, the iso-stress model was unable to predict the experimental data (Fig.…”

“…Porous laminates were prepared by melt mixing as described in our previous works [12,13]. In brief, PLA (or PCL), PEG and NaCl, with weight percentage composition of respectively 20/5/75, were fed to a batch mixer (Plasticorder PLE-330 Brabender, Germany).…”

Degradability, cytocompatibility, and osteogenesis of porous scaffolds of nanobredigite and PCL–PEG–PCL composite

“…15 PCL-PEG-PCL was added into chloroform to form a polymer solution, with continuous stirring to enable n-BD to disperse uniformly into the polymer solution. Particles of sodium chloride (used as porogens) with a size of around 450 µm were introduced into the n-BPC slurry (sodium chloride:composite =8:1 at weight ratio) and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour.…”