TY - GEN
T1 - The Co-continuous micro-porous PLLA scaffolds and their application for ACL reconstruction
AU - Zhang, Qingwei
AU - Zhang, Wei
AU - Yao, Donggang
AU - Lelkes, Peter I.
AU - Zhou, Jack G.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery is a major health concern world-wide because of a large aging population and increased occurrence of sport-related damage. Tissue engineering is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field that offers a promising new approach for ACL repair. In order to overcome the shortages of current existing surgical fixation devices, we are combining gradient cellular structure (GCS) injection molding technique and biomedical engineering to develop novel surgical fixation devices (screw, anchor, plate, pin, staple, etc.) that not only incorporate bioactive materials such as growth factors, healing drugs and cells, but have natural bone GCS structure, intended to mimic the natural bone and promote bone tissue growth and eventually eliminate the defects associated with existing surgical fixation devices. In this work, a series of novel poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds with micro-porous structure were prepared by injection molding an immiscible polymer blend, with spatially controlled thermal conditioning to adjust the phase size from core to surface. The produced scaffolds were observed under SEM, which shows a co-continuous structure was created successfully through our method. The biocompatibility and the feasibility of produced micro-porous structural PLLA and PLLA/HA scaffolds as a matrix supporting cell growth tested by culturing murine osteoblasts cell line (7F2) for up to 9 days were assessed by Alamar Blue™ assay, which showed that the manufacturing process had no negative effects on cell proliferation. The cell attachment, spreading, migration and proliferation to confluence were assessed by fluorescent nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258. In order to evaluate the functional and cell biological applicability of the micro-porous structural PLLA scaffolds, a subcutaneous biodegradation test was performed through rat model for 1 week and 1 month time period, respectively. Our results showed that the micro-porous structural PLLA scaffolds are non-toxic, and they showed a mild foreign body reaction and complete fibrous encapsulation after implantation. Well created interconnected porous structure and biocompatibility suggest great potential of the micro-porous PLLA scaffolds in application for ACL reconstruction.
AB - Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery is a major health concern world-wide because of a large aging population and increased occurrence of sport-related damage. Tissue engineering is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field that offers a promising new approach for ACL repair. In order to overcome the shortages of current existing surgical fixation devices, we are combining gradient cellular structure (GCS) injection molding technique and biomedical engineering to develop novel surgical fixation devices (screw, anchor, plate, pin, staple, etc.) that not only incorporate bioactive materials such as growth factors, healing drugs and cells, but have natural bone GCS structure, intended to mimic the natural bone and promote bone tissue growth and eventually eliminate the defects associated with existing surgical fixation devices. In this work, a series of novel poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds with micro-porous structure were prepared by injection molding an immiscible polymer blend, with spatially controlled thermal conditioning to adjust the phase size from core to surface. The produced scaffolds were observed under SEM, which shows a co-continuous structure was created successfully through our method. The biocompatibility and the feasibility of produced micro-porous structural PLLA and PLLA/HA scaffolds as a matrix supporting cell growth tested by culturing murine osteoblasts cell line (7F2) for up to 9 days were assessed by Alamar Blue™ assay, which showed that the manufacturing process had no negative effects on cell proliferation. The cell attachment, spreading, migration and proliferation to confluence were assessed by fluorescent nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258. In order to evaluate the functional and cell biological applicability of the micro-porous structural PLLA scaffolds, a subcutaneous biodegradation test was performed through rat model for 1 week and 1 month time period, respectively. Our results showed that the micro-porous structural PLLA scaffolds are non-toxic, and they showed a mild foreign body reaction and complete fibrous encapsulation after implantation. Well created interconnected porous structure and biocompatibility suggest great potential of the micro-porous PLLA scaffolds in application for ACL reconstruction.
KW - ACL reconstruction
KW - Co-continuous
KW - Micro-porous
KW - PLLA
KW - Tissue engineering
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84881394207&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1115/IMECE2010-38291
DO - 10.1115/IMECE2010-38291
M3 - Conference contribution
SN - 9780791844267
T3 - ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)
SP - 267
EP - 271
BT - Proceedings Of The Asme International Mechanical Engineering Congress And Exposition 2010, Vol 2
PB - American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
T2 - ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2010
Y2 - 12 November 2010 through 18 November 2010
ER -