Modified Poly(ε-caprolactone) with Tunable Degradability and Improved Biofunctionality for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

The use of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) for biomedical applications is well established, particularly for permanent implants, due to its slow degradation rate, suitable mechanical properties, and biocompatibility. However, the slow degradation rate of PCL limits its application for short-term and temporary biomedical applications where bioabsorbability is required. To enhance the properties of PCL and to expand its biomedical applications, we developed an approach to produce PCL membranes with tunable degradation rates, mechanical properties, and biofunctional features. Specifically, we utilized electrospinning to create fibrous PCL membranes, which were then chemically modified using potassium permanganate to alter their degradability while having minimal impact on their fibrous morphology. The effects of the chemical treatments were investigated by treating the samples for different time periods ranging from 6 to 48 h. After the 48 h treatment, the membrane degraded by losing 25% of its mass over 12 weeks in degradation studies, while maintaining its mechanical strength and exhibiting superior biofunctional features. Our results suggest that this approach for developing PCL with tailored properties could have significant potential for a range of biomedical applications.

Poly(ε-caprolactone)–Ionic Liquid Composite as Piezoionic Mechanical Sensor

“…PCL has been widely used in the realization of mechanical sensors due to its favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility [17][18][19][20]. PCL exhibits high mechanical strength, making it suitable for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine [17,19,20]. It is well tolerated in vivo and has been used in various biomedical applications [18].…”

Innovations in Bioengineering Virtual Special Issue

“…The webinar featured talks from Prof. Molly Stevens and Prof. Ali Khademhosseini and is available on demand ( go.acs.org/OV ). As highlighted in Figure , this new virtual special issue includes papers on antimicrobials, gene and therapeutic delivery, − model systems and organs on a chip, − biomineralization and biopolymer synthesis, , regenerative medicine and scaffolds for tissue engineering, − and sensors. , Our authors come from around the worldAustralia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Statesand include leaders in the field alongside quite a number of rising stars. We were delighted with the insights revealed in this collection of papers.…”