Scaffold for tissue engineering fabricated by non-isothermal supercritical carbon dioxide foaming of a highly crystalline polyester

Acta Biomater. 2010 Jan;6(1):130-6. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2009.07.020. Epub 2009 Jul 18.

Abstract

Porous scaffolds of a random co-polymer of omega-pentadecalactone (PDL) and epsilon-caprolactone (CL) (poly(PDL-CL)), synthesized by biocatalysis, were fabricated by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) foaming. The co-polymer, containing 31 mol.% CL units, is highly crystalline (T(m) = 82 degrees C, DeltaH(m) = 105 J g(-1)) thanks to the ability of the two monomer units to co-crystallize. The co-polymer can be successfully foamed upon homogeneous absorption of scCO(2) at T > T(m). The effect of soaking time, depressurization rate and cooling rate on scaffold porosity, pore size distribution and pore interconnectivity was investigated by micro X-ray computed tomography. Scaffolds with a porosity in the range 42-76% and an average pore size of 100-375 microm were successfully obtained by adjusting the main foaming parameters. Process conditions in the range investigated did not affect the degree of crystallinity of poly(PDL-CL) scaffolds. A preliminary study of the mechanical properties of the scaffolds revealed that poly(PDL-CL) foams may find application in the regeneration of cartilage tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Carbon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray / methods
  • Kinetics
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Porosity
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Temperature
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • X-Ray Microtomography / methods

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers
  • Carbon Dioxide