Biodegradable Polymeric Films and Membranes Processing and Forming for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

This paper critically reviews the overall process of biodegradable polymer films and membranesscaffold fabrication for tissue engineering (TE). Various fabrication techniques including both the processing and the post-processing methods are presented. The processing methods are categorized systematically into basic casting technique, porogen technique, and tooling technique. A comprehensive discussion on postprocessing steps and surface patterning techniques is also included to showcase the potential of membrane in TE applications. This paper also evaluates the requirements of films and membrane scaffolds for specific TE applications. The challenges and future outlook of membrane scaffolds are highlighted with potential application in 3D vascularized tissues fabrication.

Poly(ε-caprolactone)-based membranes with tunable physicochemical, bioactive and osteoinductive properties

“…cartilage/bone interface [5]. Porous biomaterials for TE have to meet several requirements: (1) uniformly distributed and interconnected highly porous structure with suitable pore size and shape to provide adequate space for cells seeding or growth, blood vessel ingrowth and flow transport of nutrients and metabolic waste; (2) biodegradable or bioresorbable with a controllable degradation and resorption rate, appropriate to match tissue growth in vivo and with non-cytotoxic degradation products; (3) suitable surface topography, chemistry and wettability for cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation; (4) mechanical properties matching those of the tissues at the site of implantation [2,6,7]. Furthermore, materials for bone tissue engineering (BTE) should possess bone-bonding ability, as well as osteoconductive/osteoinductive properties [8,9].…”

Melt Processed PCL/PEG Scaffold With Discrete Pore Size Gradient for Selective Cellular Infiltration

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Native tissues are anisotropic and inhomogeneous in nature, composed of different types of cells and extracellular matrices (ECMs) in specific spatial hierarchies. [1,7] For example, articular cartilage (AC) consists in different zones with varying types and orientations of collagen fibers and collagen-binding proteins.…”

Tissue engineering of retina and Bruch’s membrane: a review of cells, materials and processes

“…Much better control can be exerted over the properties of scaffolds fabricated using synthetic polymers 24. Properties such as degradation, biocompatibility, melting point, transitional temperature and mechanical strength can be built directly into their chain 35.…”

“…Recently published articles have shown viable methods for direct fabrication of standalone ultrathin membranes 24. Methods such as phase separation49 and electrospinning50 can produce nanoporous surfaces during fabrication which could control cell–substrate interaction.…”