A highly macroporous biodegradable composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications
Series: Canadian theses = -- Thèses canadiennes
Publisher: National Library of Canada
Published: 2003
Place of publication: Ottawa
Language: eng
Format: Microform
Description: A unique composite scaffold for bone-tissue
engineering applications has been prepared by combining
biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) with bioresorbable
calcium phosphate (CaP) cement particles
through the process of particle fusion and phase separation/
particle leaching. The scaffold is characterized by a highly
interconnected macroporosity, with macropores of 0.8 –1.8
mm and porosities ranging from 81% to 91%, and improved
mechanical properties with respect to the polymer alone,
producing excellent dimensional stability. The scaffold
properties were controlled by adjusting the processing parameters,
including PLGA molar mass and concentration,
CaP/PLGA ratio, and porogen size. The differences in mechanical
properties between dry, wet/room temperature,
and wet/37°C testing conditions, of which the latter are
more relevant for materials to be employed in a biological
milieu, were investigated. Thus, a scaffold made from PLGA
IV 1.13, PLGA concentration 12.5%, and CaP/PLGA ratio 2:1
exhibited significantly different compressive strengths of
0.16 MPa and 0.04 MPa when tested under dry and wet/
37°C conditions, respectively
Notes: Thesis (M.A.Sc.) -- University of Toronto, 2003.