Fabrication Methods of Electroactive Scaffold-Based Conducting Polymers for Tissue Engineering Application: A Review

Abstract

Conductive scaffolds, defined as scaffold systems capable of carrying electric current, have been extensively researched for tissue engineering applications. Conducting polymers (CPs) as components of conductive scaffolds was introduced to improve morphology or cell attachment, conductivity, tissue growth, and healing rate, all of which are beneficial for cardiac, muscle, nerve, and bone tissue management. Conductive scaffolds have become an alternative for tissue replacement, and repair, as well as to compensate for the global organ shortage for transplantation. Previous researchers have presented a wide range of fabrication methods for conductive scaffolds. This review highlights the most recent advances in developing conductive scaffolds, with the aim to trigger more theoretical and experimental work to address the challenges and prospects of these new fabrication techniques in medical sciences.

Computational design and evaluation of the mechanical and electrical behavior of a piezoelectric scaffold: a preclinical study

“…In the literature, surface electric potentials below 100 mV, which are in the range of natural endogenous potentials, have been reported to be suitable for osteogenic differentiation in composite piezoelectric membranes and films ( Zhang et al, 2016 ; Genchi et al, 2018 ). Furthermore, direct electrical stimulation with higher voltages of up to 30 V have been used in in vitro studies leading to cell proliferation and viability ( Dubey et al, 2011 ; Asri et al, 2022 ).…”

Advances in guided bone regeneration membranes: a comprehensive review of materials and techniques

“…has been extensively researched for tissue engineering applications. The use of conductible polymers (CPs) in conductive scaffolds has been proposed to improve the morphology of cells, conductivity, tissue growth, and healing rate, all contributing to tissue regeneration [20]. Conductible scaffolds allow for the transmission of electrical signals within the cell-seeded scaffolds.…”

Advancing Cardiomyocyte Maturation: Current Strategies and Promising Conductive Polymer‐Based Approaches

“…[185] 2D and 3D scaffolds can be fabricated using different techniques such as 3D printing, electrospinning, freeze casting, self-assembly, etc. [186] Among them, electrospinning is often the preferred approach to obtain electrospun scaffolds with aligned micro and nanofibers. These aligned scaffolds, produced with high-speed spinning drums or rotating collectors, feature a high porosity level with a heterogeneous distribution of pore size which recapitulates the main structural characteristics of the ECM.…”

“…It is also possible to obtain conductive electrospun scaffolds using electrospinning of CPs or co-electrospinning of blends of CPs and other polymers. [186,187,190] In that case, the conductive scaffolds can be directly produced by electrospinning without the need for additional deposition steps to make it electrically conductive.…”