A novel direct fibre generation technique for preparing functionalized and compound scaffolds and membranes for applications within the life sciences

Abstract

Fibres, scaffolds and membranes have shown in the past decade their tremendous applicability to the life sciences. Essentially, these constructs have recently spearheaded focused applications in and within approaches to assist in the development of biologically active tissues to effective mechanisms for targeted and controlled cellular/drug delivery. There are several routes for forming continuous fibres from which functionalized scaffolds to membranes are prepared. One such technique that has demonstrated its wide versatility is none other than electrospinning. This is an electrified threading process capable of generating micro- and nano-sized (<50 nm) threads, which have been explored with a wide range of material compositions in their many manifestations. Although this threading process is economical and flexible, the process has its downsides, namely the associated high voltage to the preclusion of threading highly conducting viscoelastic media. In the current work we unveil a three-needle pressure-assisted spinning (PAS) approach comparable to coaxial- or co-electrospinning, without the hazardous high voltage and possessing the ability to thread highly conducting viscoelastic media from which pre-designed to functionalized compound structural units could be generated. Previously in our hands we demonstrated this technique with a two-needle system, which was only able to process a single- or multi-phase suspension at any given time. In its present form, two single/multi-phase miscible or immiscible media could be processed simultaneously. Therefore, PAS would be most useful to the biomedical world because a majority of biological media containing biological matter such as living cells have within them unprecedented concentrations of ions, which are needed by the living organisms for maintaining the cells/organisms' intricate metabolisms. In our hands, pressure-assisted spinning will compete directly with electrospinning and have a revolutionary effect on the fibre, scaffold and membrane preparation arena as applied to the plethora of applications within the life sciences.

Self‐Assembled Monolayers with Dynamicity Stemming from (Bio)Chemical Conversions: From Construction to Application

“…To circumvent these concerns, two scaffold fabrication techniques that do not use an electric field have recently been developed as alternative approaches to cell electrospinning. The first technique, pressure‐assisted spinning (PAS) or pressure‐assisted cell spinning (PACS), requires at least two concentric needles for fiber production and three concentric needles for cell incorporation 72–74. This method utilizes a flow of compressed air to promote the extraction of a polymer and/or cell suspension 73.…”

“…The first technique, pressure‐assisted spinning (PAS) or pressure‐assisted cell spinning (PACS), requires at least two concentric needles for fiber production and three concentric needles for cell incorporation 72–74. This method utilizes a flow of compressed air to promote the extraction of a polymer and/or cell suspension 73. Fibers are produced by altering the rheological properties of the polymer and a variety of configurations can be used concerning the positioning of the polymer, cell suspension, or pressure flow within the concentric needles 75.…”

Electrospinning of ultrafine core/shell fibers for biomedical applications

“…It was emphasized that miscible fluids, even in the same solvent, served to reduce the interfacial tension, producing thinner fibers [42]. It was attempted that higher interfacial tension was the reason of failure in producing hollow nanofibers directly by using a gas as the core [41,[54][55][56].…”

Nanotechnology in the design of soft tissue scaffolds: innovations in structure and function

“…The first technique, pressure-assisted spinning (PAS) or pressure-assisted cell spinning (PACS), requires at least two concentric needles for fiber production and three concentric needles for cell incorporation. [72][73][74] This method utilizes a flow of compressed air to promote the extraction of a polymer and/or cell suspension. 73 Fibers are produced by altering the rheological properties of the polymer and a variety of configurations can be used concerning the positioning of the polymer, cell suspension, or pressure flow within the concentric needles.…”