Development of Polymeric Functionally Graded Scaffolds: A Brief Review

Abstract

Over recent years, there has been a growing interest in multilayer scaffolds fabrication approaches. In fact, functionally graded scaffolds (FGSs) provide biological and mechanical functions potentially similar to those of native tissues. Based on the final application of the scaffold, there are different properties (physical, mechanical, biochemical, etc.) which need to gradually change in space. Therefore, a number of different technologies have been investigated, and often combined, to customize each region of the scaffolds as much as possible, aiming at achieving the best regenerative performance. In general, FGSs can be categorized as bilayered or multilayered, depending on the number of layers in the whole structure. In other cases, scaffolds are characterized by a continuous gradient of 1 or more specific properties that cannot be related to the presence of clearly distinguished layers. Since each traditional approach presents peculiar advantages and disadvantages, FGSs are good candidates to overcome the limitations of current treatment options. In contrast to the reviews reported in the literature, which usually focus on the application of FGS, this brief review provides an overview of the most common strategies adopted to prepare FGS.

A review on degradation mechanisms of polylactic acid: Hydrolytic, photodegradative, microbial, and enzymatic degradation

“…[64][65][66] Further, it is highly transparent and has the capability to be simply degraded. [67][68][69][70][71] Performance characteristics of PLA, such as stiffness, strength and gas permeability, have been determined to be comparable with conventional petrochemical-based plastics. [72] However, PLA does have drawbacks, which include low toughness, high cost and slow biodegradation rate.…”

Biopolymer-based strategies in the design of smart medical devices and artificial organs

“…Developments in artificial organs, medical devices, structures, and carriers for tissue engineering are increasingly supported by functional materials: these have the advantage of combining structural properties with a predetermined, favorable response to the environment. 1 , 2 Among such materials, stimulus-responsive materials have become a powerful design platform for a range of biomedical applications, from cardiovascular devices to drug delivery systems. 3 – 5 …”

Recent advances on gradient hydrogels in biomimetic cartilage tissue engineering

“…Microfluidics, additive manufacturing (AM), and microsphere-based approaches are also very efficient methods of generating gradients. A number of excellent reviews give a detailed overview of methods to generate gradient hydrogels in view of their relevance to TE in general 1 , 20 , 27 . Here, we focus on gradient hydrogels for cartilage TE and give representative references to the innovative approaches used for their fabrication and implementation.…”